On Monday, December 15, 2025, at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun voiced China's strong dissatisfaction with what Beijing describes as "blatant slander" against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) judiciary.
Earlier that day, the High Court of the HKSAR found media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and one charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was at the center of this high-profile case.
Britain and several other countries have claimed that judicial and press freedoms in the HKSAR are being undermined. In response, Guo said Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, and the central government firmly supports the HKSAR in safeguarding national security and punishing crimes that endanger it in accordance with the law.
Guo emphasized that the HKSAR's judicial organs perform their duties based on legal principles and protect national security, describing the verdicts as reasonable, justified and lawful. "The relevant judicial cases are purely the HKSAR's internal affairs," he added, urging foreign governments to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The exchange has drawn the attention of business leaders, human rights advocates, and travelers alike—each watching how high-profile security cases may influence Hong Kong's stability, international standing and perceptions of judicial autonomy.
As global eyes remain on the HKSAR's legal system, the debate continues over the balance between national security and freedoms in this major international hub.
Reference(s):
China opposes smearing Hong Kong judiciary after verdict on Jimmy Lai
cgtn.com
