Liaison office of central gov't in HKSAR supports Jimmy Lai sentencing

HONG KONG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said on Monday that the office firmly supports the HKSAR judiciary's delivery of just sentences on Jimmy Lai for crimes including conspiring to collude with external forces to endanger national security.

The sentencing fully demonstrated judicial fairness and the authority of the rule of law. The 855-page verdict issued by the HKSAR judiciary had detailed ironclad evidence of Jimmy Lai's heinous crimes as the mastermind of a group of anti-China elements destabilizing Hong Kong, said the spokesperson.

Even after the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, Lai persisted in his criminal activities on bail and during detention, and refused to plead guilty during trial, noted the spokesperson.

The sentencing reflected the HKSAR's firm determination and strong will to lawfully punish criminal acts and activities endangering national security, said the spokesperson. The facts proved once again that the despicable dealings of external forces and anti-China elements seeking to destabilize Hong Kong are ultimately futile.

The spokesperson underscored that the office will continue to support the HKSAR in lawfully preventing, stopping, and punishing acts and activities that endanger national security amid efforts to bolster Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.