Mainland's liaison office in Hong Kong voices firm support for verdict on Jimmy Lai

The Liaison Office of the Chinese Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) said on Monday it firmly supports Hong Kong's judicial authorities in convicting Jimmy Lai for colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the office said safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of "One Country, Two Systems," and voiced support for Hong Kong authorities in preventing, stopping and punishing national security crimes in accordance with the law.

The spokesperson said the case marked Hong Kong's first conviction for collusion with external forces under the national security law, adding that evidence presented in court showed Lai had conspired with overseas anti-China forces, sought foreign sanctions and continued such activities after the law took effect.

The statement strongly condemned what it described as interference and smearing of Hong Kong's rule of law by external forces, rejecting attempts to portray instigators of anti-China riots in Hong Kong as "democracy advocates."

Since the enactment of the national security law, it has helped restore stability and provided safeguards for the steady implementation of "One Country, Two Systems," the spokesperson said, stressing that Hong Kong's judiciary handled the case strictly in accordance with the law and demonstrated zero tolerance for acts endangering national security.