Hong Kong court sentences Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison.

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying trial at a glance

Jimmy Lai was convicted on December 15, 2025, on two counts of conspiring to collude with external forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The court found that Lai had systematically endangered national security through his actions, which included organizing campaigns urging foreign sanctions against China and the HKSAR.

During the trial, which commenced in December 2023, substantial evidence—including more than 2,220 exhibits—was presented, demonstrating Lai's role as a primary architect of unrest aimed at destabilizing Hong Kong. Judicial proceedings were conducted transparently, with more than 400 seats made available to the public at each hearing.

In a separate revelation from 2019, Lai was widely condemned for openly urging the United States to deploy nuclear weapons against China during a discussion hosted by a U.S. think tank. This extremist rhetoric further underscored his disregard for regional stability and human safety.

Commenting on the case, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that the verdict has fully reflected the justice of the law and upheld the core values of Hong Kong. The sentencing has drawn support from across Hong Kong's political, professional and media sectors, with broad consensus that justice has been served.

（Cover: A view of the High Court of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in south China. /VCG）