Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that he had discussed the conviction of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, a day after Lai was found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under the city’s national security law.
Xi Urges Continued Focus on National Security
Lee did not disclose how Xi responded to Lai’s verdict but said the Chinese leader encouraged Hong Kong authorities to continue strengthening efforts to safeguard national security. “President Xi expressed full support for Hong Kong’s work to maintain stability and security,” Lee told reporters after the meeting.
The case has drawn global scrutiny over Hong Kong’s judicial independence and the state of civil liberties in the financial hub, which has seen sweeping political changes since Beijing imposed the National Security Law in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Lee Criticises Foreign Media Coverage
Lee accused some international media organisations of misleading the public in their coverage of Lai’s conviction. “Some organisations, particularly foreign media, deliberately whitewash Lai’s criminal acts,” he said. “Their objective is to obscure his shameless conduct and subversive actions as an agent of external forces who sought to infiltrate and brainwash young people.”
Lai, aged 78, is the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, once Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy newspaper. His supporters see him as a symbol of resistance and press freedom, while Beijing regards him as a key instigator of the 2019 protests and a conspirator who encouraged foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong.
Widespread International Reaction
Foreign governments and human rights groups have criticised Lai’s conviction, calling it politically motivated and emblematic of the erosion of freedoms guaranteed under Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” framework. Beijing, however, insists the prosecution is a legitimate enforcement of law and order.
As the high-profile case continues to reverberate internationally, Lee reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the national security law, saying it was essential for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity.
(with inputs from Reuters)
