China's Foreign Ministry has firmly supported Hong Kong's recent sentencing of media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years imprisonment, calling it a necessary measure to protect national security. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated Tuesday that Lai 'severely harmed national security' through anti-China activities during 2026 court proceedings.
Beijing Stands Firm on Security Law
Lin emphasized that Lai's actions 'undermined One Country, Two Systems' and threatened Hong Kong's stability. 'The verdict was reached through proper legal procedures,' he told reporters, adding that no external forces should interfere with the region's independent judiciary.
Rule of Law in Focus
The spokesperson highlighted that Hong Kong's national security law implementation has strengthened rather than weakened the city's global reputation: 'When we protect national security effectively, residents' freedoms become more secure, not less.'
Global Response
While Western governments have criticized the sentence, Lin urged countries to 'respect China's sovereignty' and avoid politicizing legal matters. The case has become a flashpoint in discussions about Hong Kong's post-2019 protest landscape as we move through 2026.
