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China has attacked Britain and America for criticizing the jailing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai.
Beijing called on both British and American diplomats to express their “strong concern” over government statements regarding Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong on national security and treason charges.
Lai is a 78-year-old British citizen, and Britain has led statements from governments and leaders around the world calling for his immediate release. A Foreign Office statement said Lai’s case was “politically motivated”, and that he “has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression”.
Lai is a vocal supporter of Hong Kong’s press freedoms and democratic system – rights that were supposed to be enshrined in law after the city was handed over from Britain to China, but that have since been heavily eroded.
He rose to prominence as the founder of the independent, pro-democracy apple daily newspaper, but was arrested and closed down in 2020 in a harsh crackdown in the name of “national security” following massive popular protests.
He was found guilty of treason and collusion with foreign forces earlier this month Hong Kong’s controversial new national security laws.
Hong Kong office of Sugar The Foreign Ministry said it had lodged “serious representations” with representatives of the US, Britain and other Western countries over the comments, which they claimed interfered with the legal handling of the case. China does not recognize Lai’s British citizenship and claims criticism of his case amounts to interference in its internal affairs.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry’s Office of the Commissioner said it “expressed strong concern and strong opposition” to such comments and urged the countries and politicians involved to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
After Lai’s conviction, London summoned the Chinese ambassador while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper Condemning the decision, he said the case was brought for political purposes and sought repeal of the national security law.
The issue is now set to figure prominently during Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next month. Pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to demand the British national’s release, with Lai’s family expressing urgent concern over his deteriorating health.
us President donald trump first said he asked Mr Xi will consider releasing Lai, He also said he felt “very bad” about the jailed media mogul. His administration said Lai’s guilty verdict showed China’s determination to “silence those who defend freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.”
Lai is expected to be sentenced next month, coinciding with Sir Kiir’s visit to Beijing between January 29 and 31.
Asked whether Sir Keir’s visit would be a “pivotal moment”, Caolphion Gallagher, who leads Lai’s international legal team, replied: “The short answer is yes.”
“Any close relationship with China must go hand in hand with the security of our interests,” he said. “We are deeply concerned that there is a rapid move towards ever closer ties without adequate protection of our core interests – with at least one British citizen behind bars.”