On Monday, December 15, 2025, the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delivered a landmark ruling in the case against media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai.
The court found Lai guilty on two counts of conspiring to collude with external forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Judges reviewed extensive evidence showing a coordinated campaign to use Lai’s media platform not for journalism, but to incite hatred against the Central Government of China and the HKSAR Government.
Evidence included documents and communications demonstrating collusion with overseas actors to impose sanctions on officials in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. By pursuing this legal action through established channels, the HKSAR judiciary has underscored its independence and the strength of the region’s legal framework.
Some politicians in the United Kingdom and other Western countries have criticized Hong Kong’s legal environment as undermining press and judicial freedom. However, the High Court’s thorough examination and transparent process reinforce the message that actions threatening social stability and national security will be met with due process.
This decision harks back to the violent protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019. On August 31 that year, Lai orchestrated and joined an unauthorized assembly on Hong Kong Island. Rioters besieged government buildings, vandalized public facilities and metro stations, and hurled petrol bombs and corrosive liquids at police officers. The unrest, dubbed a period of “black terror,” left residents and university campuses in fear and disarray.
By disguising seditious intent under slogans of “free speech” and “democracy,” Lai’s actions went beyond constitutional protections. The court’s verdict emphasizes that safeguarding the rule of law is essential to Hong Kong’s stability and future prosperity.
As Hong Kong navigates its path under “one country, two systems,” this ruling serves as a reminder that robust legal institutions can balance freedom with security. International observers are encouraged to recognize the independence of the HKSAR judiciary and the resilience of its legal system.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
