Lai's sentence a warning to anti-China separatists

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Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.

Hyped as a media "tycoon" by certain Western media outlets, Lai portrayed himself as a defender of democracy. But in reality, he acted as a political broker hiding behind the banner of "press freedom," willingly serving the interests of foreign powers, operating behind the scenes to jeopardize national security. His conducts warranted severe punishment. 

During the 2019 unrest, widespread destruction swept through Hong Kong. Public facilities including MTR stations, shopping malls, roads, and traffic systems were systematically damaged, disrupting daily life and halting much of the city's normal operations.

By October 2019, over 460 traffic lights had been destroyed, 46,000 meters of railings removed, and roughly 2,900 square meters of pavement torn up. About 145 MTR and light rail stations suffered extensive damage, including the destruction of turnstiles and more than a thousand security cameras. 

Lai was far from a bystander. His media organizations downplayed the violence, inflamed public anger, and romanticized acts such as arson and vandalism as "valiant resistance." Beyond the newsroom, Lai frequently appeared at marches and rallies, voicing his support for riots. Through interviews, social media posts, and opinion pieces, he urged continued "resistance" and "escalation," thereby helping to sustain the unrest. 

At the same time, Lai's outlets reportedly vilified law enforcement, branding legitimate police actions as "crackdowns on freedom." This narrative deepened public mistrust of the authorities and encouraged hostility between civilians and the police. As the founder of media company Next Digital, Lai is believed to have turned Apple Daily and its affiliates into instruments of political agitation.

Court documents from the HKSAR High Court indicate that Lai continued to appeal to foreign governments for sanctions and other hostile measures against China even after the enactment of the National Security Law. Public records show multiple meetings between Lai and senior U.S. officials including then–Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and National Security Advisor John Bolton, during which he urged international pressure on China.

Furthermore, Lai maintained financial links with foreign "foundations" associated with global "color revolutions." Through donations and collaborative projects, he funneled money to opposition groups, promoted protest actions, and amplified anti-China narratives. During the 2019 turmoil, Western capital interests reportedly fueled speculative trading in Next Digital's stock, leading to large illicit profits. 

These organizations – often operating under the label of "foundations" – have been accused around the world of meddling in elections, manipulating media discourse, and funding street movements. By aligning with them, Lai opened Hong Kong's internal affairs to foreign interference, turning the city into a testing ground for external geopolitical strategies.

Such conduct betrayed the core purpose of "One Country, Two Systems" principle and inflicted lasting harm on both national sovereignty and Hong Kong's reputation. 

Therefore, Lai's conviction is entirely justified. Under the guise of "press freedom" and "democracy," Lai engaged in activities that disrupted Hong Kong and undermined national stability. His sentence stands as a clear warning to anyone attempting to challenge the "One Country, Two Systems" principle or endanger China's unity. 

The author Liu Jianxi is a Beijing-based analyst of political and international relations. With 10 years of experience in media, she writes on topics pertaining to the U.S., the EU and the Middle East. 

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