BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Jimmy Lai's latest criminal conviction is a completely legitimate move that safeguards the rule of law and national security.
According to a verdict handed down by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Monday, Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and one charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
A large amount of evidence presented during the trial proved that Lai had been a mastermind and major participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong. He had long colluded with other senior executives of Apple Daily to continuously publish seditious articles, launched the "One Hongkonger, One Letter to Save Hong Kong" campaign, conducted interviews with foreign politicians and held other related activities, openly demanding that the United States, the United Kingdom and EU countries sanction China and the Hong Kong SAR.
Evidence also demonstrated that through Mark Simon, Chan Tsz-wah and other people, Lai colluded with Li Yu-hin and Lau Cho-dik to carry out lobbying internationally and colluded with foreign politicians to seek sanctions on China and the Hong Kong SAR.
Hong Kong courts had previously sentenced Lai to various jail terms for taking part in unauthorized gatherings and fraud.
The anti-China elements led by Lai were the masterminds behind the Hong Kong version of a "color revolution," seriously endangering national security, undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and damaging the fundamental interests and well-being of Hong Kong citizens. They have become a menace that hinders the stable, long-term implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy and the long-term stability of Hong Kong.
The facts of Lai's crimes -- creating chaos in Hong Kong, and inciting subversion and separatism -- are clear and the evidence is conclusive. The arrest, prosecution and trial of Jimmy Lai by the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the Hong Kong national security law and other laws are legitimate acts that demonstrate the rule of law. Lai's entire trial process was open and transparent. The verdict was entirely based on factual evidence.
It is worth noting that during the trial, the court repeatedly confirmed that the defendant had received proper medical care during his detention.
Since Lai's arrest, certain Western politicians and media have seriously violated the spirit of common law, fabricated lies, and made all kinds of absurd comments that confuse right and wrong, in an attempt to interfere in the trial proceedings.
Judicial authorities in the Hong Kong SAR fulfill their duties, safeguard the authority of the law and defend national security in accordance with the law. The judicial case of Lai is purely Hong Kong's internal affair. The verdict is justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach.
Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. And safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security and development interests is the supreme principle of the "one country, two systems" policy. The lawful conviction of Jimmy Lai shows a zero-tolerance stance towards any acts and activities endangering national security.
The Hong Kong SAR's determination and will to uphold the rule of law and safeguard national security remain unshakable despite the noise and interference from external forces. Attempts of anti-China elements in Hong Kong are doomed to fail and will be subject to severe legal punishment. Enditem
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