{"id":15397,"date":"2026-02-10T05:46:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T05:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hong-kong-leader-celebrates-jimmy-lais-sentence-as-plan-to-enhance-security-law-published\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T05:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T05:46:45","slug":"hong-kong-leader-celebrates-jimmy-lais-sentence-as-plan-to-enhance-security-law-published","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hong-kong-leader-celebrates-jimmy-lais-sentence-as-plan-to-enhance-security-law-published\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong leader celebrates Jimmy Lai&#8217;s sentence &#8211; as plan to enhance security law published"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>The leader of Hong Kong has celebrated the 20-year jail sentence given to British pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, saying the media tycoon had &ldquo;poisoned&rdquo; the city.<\/p>\n<p>John Lee was defiant in the face of criticism from Western nations, including the UK, <strong>following the 78-year-old&rsquo;s sentencing yesterday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>He was <strong>found guilty<\/strong> &#8203;of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one &#8203;count of publishing seditious materials last December.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Lai denied all the charges and said he was a &ldquo;political prisoner&rdquo; facing persecution from Beijing. His son, Sebastien, told Sky News it was &ldquo;essentially a life sentence&hellip; a death sentence&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video\" data-testid=\"site-video\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"ui-video-player\" data-component-name=\"ui-video-player\" data-testid=\"video-player\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-orientation data-disable-ads data-disable-post-rolls data-ad-tag=\"20346936\/skynews\/videoplayer\" data-content-source-id=\"2537425\" data-show-captions data-account-id=\"6058004172001\" data-player-id=\"FeuO55X2f\" data-video-id=\"8594401c-047b-4edb-ad59-1bc13d3f0251\" data-auto-change-orientation data-autoload=\"false\" data-pause-if-visibility-changes=\"mobile\" id data-id data-deferred-load data-captions-position=\"lower-third\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/share\/13505177\">\n          <button class=\"ui-video-player-poster\" title=\"Play Video\" data-testid=\"video-player-poster\">\n<p>            <noscript>You need javascript enabled to view this content<\/noscript><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <\/div>\n<p>  <\/p><\/button>\n<div class=\"ui-video-player-body\" inert>\n            <video-js class=\"ui-video-player-tag\" playsinline poster><\/video-js><button class=\"ui-share-button\" data-share-title data-share-url=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/share\/13505177\" data-component-name=\"ui-share-button\" data-could-not-share data-type=\"compact\" data-tracking-label=\"\/share-button\/video\"><br>\n    <noscript>Enable javascript to share<\/noscript><br>\n    <span class=\"ui-share-button-label\" data-role=\"share-label\" aria-live=\"polite\">Share<\/span><br>\n    <svg class=\"ui-share-button-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"22\" fill=\"none\" version=\"1.1\" viewbox=\"0 0 20 22\"><path d=\"m17 0c0.0557 0 0.111 9e-4 0.166 0.0039 0.977 0.0363 1.91 0.553 2.44 1.46 0.266 0.456 0.39 0.954 0.392 1.45 1e-3 0.0314 0.0029 0.063 0.0029 0.0947 0 1.66-1.34 3-3 3-0.699 0-1.34-0.241-1.85-0.643l-9.17 5.25c0.0165 0.128 0.0263 0.258 0.0263 0.39 0 0.132-0.0099 0.261-0.0263 0.389l9.18 5.25c0.51-0.4 1.15-0.641 1.85-0.641 1.66 0 3 1.34 3 3 0 0.0314-0.0019 0.0626-0.0029 0.0938-0.0015 0.492-0.126 0.99-0.392 1.45-0.525 0.902-1.46 1.42-2.44 1.46-0.055 3e-3 -0.11 0.0049-0.166 0.0049-1.66 0-3-1.34-3-3 0-0.106 5e-3 -0.21 0.0157-0.312l-9.23-5.28c-0.5 0.372-1.12 0.596-1.79 0.596-1.66 0-3-1.34-3-3s1.34-3 3-3c0.671 0 1.29 0.223 1.79 0.595l9.23-5.28c-0.0106-0.102-0.0157-0.206-0.0157-0.312 0-1.66 1.34-3 3-3z\" role=\"presentation\"><\/path><\/svg><svg class=\"ui-share-button-tick\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"none\" version=\"1.1\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m15.7 2.69c0.39 0.391 0.39 1.02 0 1.41l-9.8 9.8-0.0762 0.0683c-0.131 0.107-0.283 0.176-0.44 0.206-0.0943 0.0182-0.191 0.0228-0.286 0.0137-0.0321-0.0031-0.064-0.0076-0.0957-0.0137-0.0631-0.0122-0.125-0.0302-0.186-0.0547-0.12-0.0488-0.233-0.122-0.33-0.22l-4.19-4.19c-0.39-0.391-0.39-1.02 0-1.41l0.694-0.694 4.21 4.2 9.81-9.81 0.694 0.694z\" role=\"presentation\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>\n                <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"caption-text\">Jimmy Lai given a &lsquo;death sentence&rsquo;<\/span>\n            <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sir Keir Starmer had been under pressure to raise Mr Lai&rsquo;s case with China&rsquo;s Xi Jinping <strong>when he visited the country last month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>While the government is seeking closer economic ties with Beijing, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Mr Lai&rsquo;s prosecution was &ldquo;politically motivated&rdquo; and expressed concern for his health.<\/p>\n<p>But China remains defiant despite the criticism, which has also come from the likes of the US and the UN.<\/p>\n<p>China&rsquo;s London embassy described Ms Cooper&rsquo;s comments as &ldquo;erroneous&rdquo;, and accused the UK of &ldquo;interfering in Hong Kong&rsquo;s rule of law&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>Since Mr Lai was sentenced, the Beijing regime has released a white paper outlining plans to further enhance a draconian national security law that has been used to clamp down on free speech and dissent in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><strong>Read more:<br>What is the China&rsquo;s national security law?<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/768x432\/skynews-jimmy-lai-court-of-final-appeal_7159679.jpg?20260209002717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/384x216\/skynews-jimmy-lai-court-of-final-appeal_7159679.jpg?20260209002717 380w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/768x432\/skynews-jimmy-lai-court-of-final-appeal_7159679.jpg?20260209002717 760w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/1600x900\/skynews-jimmy-lai-court-of-final-appeal_7159679.jpg?20260209002717 1024w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/2048x1152\/skynews-jimmy-lai-court-of-final-appeal_7159679.jpg?20260209002717 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Jimmy Lai leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong before his sentencing. Pic: Reuters\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\"><span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Jimmy Lai leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong before his sentencing. Pic: Reuters<br>\n        <\/span><br>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The city, which Britain handed over in 1997, was the scene of huge pro-democracy protests in 2019. The white paper described the security law as a &ldquo;legal shield&rdquo; that had restored order.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Lee said Mr Lai&rsquo;s sentencing sent a &ldquo;solemn warning against malicious plots&rdquo; that endanger national security, and welcomed the white paper&rsquo;s publication.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Lai&rsquo;s sentencing came more than five years after he was arrested. The founder of the now defunct Apple Daily newspaper is a long-standing critic of &#8288;the Chinese Communist Party.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/25\/08\/768x432\/skynews-hong-kong_6990513.jpg?20250814113525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/25\/08\/384x216\/skynews-hong-kong_6990513.jpg?20250814113525 380w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/25\/08\/768x432\/skynews-hong-kong_6990513.jpg?20250814113525 760w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/25\/08\/1600x900\/skynews-hong-kong_6990513.jpg?20250814113525 1024w, https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/25\/08\/2048x1152\/skynews-hong-kong_6990513.jpg?20250814113525 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Protesters clash with police in November 2019. Pic: Reuters\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\"><span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Protesters clash with police in November 2019. Pic: Reuters<br>\n        <\/span><br>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>&lsquo;The embodiment of what they fear&rsquo;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking after the verdict, Sky&rsquo;s <strong>Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith<\/strong> said she spoke to Mr Lai&rsquo;s biographer Mark Clifford last month.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s really the embodiment of what they fear,&rdquo; she cited the author and close friend of the jailed tycoon as saying.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A principled person, absolutely refusing to back down, smart, articulate, and crucially with a platform.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub><\/sub><\/p>\n<div>Hong Kong leader celebrates Jimmy Lai&rsquo;s sentence &ndash; as plan to enhance security law published<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The leader of Hong Kong has celebrated the 20-year jail sentence given to British pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, saying the media tycoon had &ldquo;poisoned&rdquo; the city. John Lee was defiant in the face of criticism from Western nations, including the UK, following the 78-year-old&rsquo;s sentencing yesterday. He was found guilty &#8203;of two counts of conspiracy&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hong-kong-leader-celebrates-jimmy-lais-sentence-as-plan-to-enhance-security-law-published\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Hong Kong leader celebrates Jimmy Lai&#8217;s sentence &#8211; as plan to enhance security law published&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15398,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15397"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15397\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}