The verdict in the Jimmy Lai case has affirmed the rule of law and justice, John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Monday.

The High Court of the HKSAR on Monday sentenced Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in the HKSAR, to 20 years in prison after considering his "serious and grave criminal conduct." Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

Lee said Lai has long been using Apple Daily to poison the minds of Hong Kong residents, distort facts, deliberately create social division and glorify violence, while openly begging external forces to sanction China and the country's HKSAR, and damaging the interests of the country and the HKSAR, with overwhelming evidence of his guilt.

Stressing that the Hong Kong national security law exemplifies the role of a "stabilizing force," Lee warned those who jeopardize national security cannot escape legal consequences and will be severely punished according to the law.

The HKSAR government will continue to unwaveringly safeguard national sovereignty, security and developmental interests, he said.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government also responded to Lai's sentencing, saying that the aim of Lai's malicious scheme was to collude with external forces and harm the interests of China and the HKSAR.

The HKSAR government will resolutely safeguard national security, ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong residents, and make every effort to prevent, stop and punish acts and activities that endanger national security, the spokesperson added.