On February 9, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) court sentenced Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison for crimes including conspiracy to collude with external forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious publications. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR firmly supports the sentencing decision made by the HKSAR court in accordance with the law. Following the announcement of the sentence, officials and politicians from countries and organizations including the United Kingdom and the United States made unwarranted comments, slandering the rule of law and freedom in Hong Kong, and clamoring for the release of Lai Chee-ying and the imposition of sanctions on Hong Kong. The spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and issued a stern condemnation.

The spokesperson pointed out that Lai Chee-ying is a mastermind and participant in a series of major incidents aimed at destabilizing China and the HKSAR. Extensive evidence shows that Lai has long colluded with overseas anti-China forces, spread anti-Hong Kong words, provoked social antagonism, incited hatred, glorified violence, and openly begged foreign forces to impose sanctions, blockades, and other hostile actions against the Chinese mainland and the HKSAR. His actions severely undermined the bottom line of One Country, Two Systems, seriously endangered national security, and severely damaged Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and the well-being of its citizens. He deserves severe legal punishment.

The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law. The HKSAR court’s sentences on Lai Chee-ying are based on facts and law, confirming him as the mastermind of the crimes. The courts, in accordance with the severity of his crimes, handed down a fair sentence to uphold the authority of the law and safeguard national security. This is reasonable, justifiable, and lawful, and brooks no interference.

The spokesperson stressed that facts has proven that the implementation of the Hong Kong national security laws has further solidified the foundation for the steady and long-term implementation of One Country, Two Systems, and provided high-level security to safeguard high-quality development. No matter how external forces smear, or exert pressure on Hong Kong, they cannot change our will to fully, accurately, and unwaveringly implement the One Country, Two Systems policy, nor can they stop the historical trend of Hong Kong's greater prosperity.

The spokesperson reiterated that Lai Chee-ying is a Chinese citizen, and his case is purely an internal affair of the HKSAR. We urge relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, immediately cease making irresponsible remarks on the Lai Chee-ying case, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form! We will firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and resolutely guard against any external interference!