The recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela—which saw the capture of President Nicolás Maduro—has shocked the world. The blatant disregard for international law, sovereignty, and human life has once again exposed the hypocrisy behind American claims of defending "freedom" and "human rights."
This hegemonic display serves as a stark warning: if not for firm national security measures, Hong Kong might have faced a similar fate. If Jimmy Lai's collusion with foreign forces had been successful, it would have paved the way for further Western intervention in China's internal affairs.
The trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, has brought to light a web of activities that went far beyond media commentary or political opinion. According to court findings, Lai was deeply involved in organizing and promoting foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong. He actively lobbied the U.S. government through his aide Mark Simon and met with American politicians to pressure Washington into acting against China.
Evidence presented in court—including encrypted messages, meeting records, and direct instructions to staff—confirmed that these were not isolated acts of opinion but deliberate efforts to undermine national sovereignty through illegal means.
Lai himself admitted in court that he hoped then-U.S. President Donald Trump would "do something to save Hong "Kong"—including launching sanctions even after the National Security Law had come into force.
Despite overwhelming evidence, Western politicians and media have attempted to whitewash Lai's actions. Rather than addressing the facts, they have focused on his health, vilifying Hong Kong's legal system while ignoring the serious national security implications of his conduct.
The same voices that once called rioters "peaceful protesters" now seek to portray Lai as a victim. During the 2019 unrest, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi famously described the violent chaos in Hong Kong as "a beautiful sight to behold." However, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in 2021, she called it "a desecration of democracy."
This glaring double standard reveals the true nature of Western rhetoric—not rooted in principle, but in power politics and strategic interests.
Before 2020, the illusion of Western "justice" and "democracy" misled many Hong Kong youth. Recent events have removed that façade. As the vice chairman of the Hong Kong Elite Association noted, the Venezuela crisis reminds us of the necessity of a strong national security framework to prevent hostile foreign forces from undermining our sovereignty.
What happened in Venezuela is not an isolated case. It is a continuation of the same long-standing Western playbook: use the pretext of "freedom" to justify regime change, economic intervention, and military aggression—always in pursuit of strategic resources and geopolitical control.
Had Jimmy Lai's plans succeeded, the consequences for Hong Kong could have been devastating. As the editorial warns: "If Jimmy Lai had prevailed, the U.S. would have stormed in. " That possibility must never be allowed to become reality.
Both the Jimmy Lai case and the events in Venezuela demonstrate how Western powers exploit democratic narratives in their pursuit of dominance.
In today's complex geopolitical environment, defending national sovereignty is not just a matter of law—it is a matter of survival.
"If Jimmy Lai had succeeded, the U.S. would have stormed in." This warning is not limited to just one individual; it serves as a crucial reminder for all nations. Only by upholding sovereignty and the rule of law can we safeguard our shared future.
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