🇨🇳 China's Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, delivered a fiery rebuke to British officials this week after they criticized Hong Kong's conviction of Jimmy Lai, a key figure in 2025's anti-China riots. The diplomatic clash highlights rising tensions over Hong Kong's legal autonomy.
🔍 During a meeting with UK Foreign Office officials, Zheng condemned British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's remarks as 'irresponsible' and accused London of smearing Hong Kong's National Security Law. 'Britain’s colonial rule over Hong Kong ended decades ago,' Zheng stated. 'They have no right to interfere now.'
⚖️ Lai, founder of the defunct Apple Daily, was convicted Monday by Hong Kong’s High Court on charges of conspiring with external forces and publishing seditious materials. Chinese authorities emphasized that Lai’s actions went far beyond 'peaceful free speech'—a claim repeatedly made by UK politicians.
🌐 The Chinese Embassy in Britain warned that any foreign attempts to disrupt Hong Kong’s judicial process 'will only provoke public anger and fail miserably.' Analysts say the spat reflects broader struggles over Western influence in Asia as 2025 winds down.
💡 Why it matters: With cross-border tensions simmering, this case tests how global powers navigate Hong Kong’s 'one country, two systems' framework. For young professionals and diaspora communities, it’s a stark reminder of geopolitics’ impact on daily life.
