Hong Kong’s political establishment and civil society organizations have expressed resolute endorsement of the High Court’s sentencing of former media magnate Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years imprisonment under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region National Security Law. The verdict, delivered by a three-judge national security panel on Monday, concludes a landmark case that has drawn international attention.
Prominent political figures characterized the sentence as proportionate to Lai’s crimes. Leung Chun-ying, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee and former HKSAR Chief Executive, stated the punishment was “well-deserved,” rejecting Western media portrayals of Lai as a democracy advocate. Executive Council Convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee described the judgment as “fair and reasonable,” noting the court had thoroughly considered both the severity of Lai’s actions and claimed mitigating circumstances.
Legislative Council President Starry Lee Wai-king emphasized that extensive evidence demonstrated Lai had systematically exploited media platforms to incite social discord and solicit foreign intervention against Hong Kong and national officials. She highlighted the court’s comprehensive 855-page reasoning document as evidence of the judicial rigor applied throughout the proceedings.
Legal expert Wong Yuk-shan, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee, affirmed that the judicial process had ensured a fair trial, stating the outcome “fully embodies Hong Kong’s commitment to the rule of law.”
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the territory’s largest labor organization, issued a statement asserting the verdict reinforces Hong Kong’s determination to safeguard national security while preserving its core legal values. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong cited economic indicators showing recovery under the National Security Law’s protection, with GDP growth projected at 3.5% for 2025.
The Hong Kong Coalition, an NGO comprising business and political leaders, condemned Western politicians for attempting to influence judicial proceedings through sanctions, characterizing such actions as “double standards that distort black and white” and violations of international legal norms.