The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee meets the press on December 15, 2025. Photo: local media RTHK

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday that he welcomes the verdict on Jimmy Lai, which upholds the justice of the law and safeguards Hong Kong's core values, emphasizing that the HKSAR government is clear and resolute in its stance, and the judiciary acts with full confidence and resolve, fears no intimidation, and firmly fulfills its responsibility to safeguard national security. 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s High Court ruled on Monday morning that Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Three Apple Daily companies were found guilty of a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and a charge of conspiracy to collude with external forces, according to the verdict announced at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building where the High Court processed the case, according to local media reports.

"The court found Jimmy Lai and the three companies guilty on all charges. I welcome the court's conviction," Lee said in a post on social media. 

The court has adjourned the sentencing of Jimmy Lai and the three companies, together with the related case involving eight individuals who had previously pleaded guilty, to January 12, 2026, and will announce the sentencing date thereafter. The ruling confirms that Jimmy Lai used Apple Daily to collude with foreign or external forces, endangering national security, Lee said in the post.

Jimmy Lai long used his media outlet, Apple Daily, to recklessly stir social divisions, incite societal confrontation, glorify violence, and openly solicit foreign sanctions against China and the HKSAR, inviting external interference. His actions have harmed the fundamental interests of the country and the well-being of Hong Kong citizens. His conducts were shameful and malicious. His crimes were committed openly, with overwhelming evidence. The court's conviction demonstrates the justice of the law and upholds Hong Kong's core values, Lee said. 
 
The law does not allow anyone, regardless of profession or background, to hide under the disguise of human rights, democracy, or freedom to openly harm their own country and compatriots. The HKSAR has the responsibility to safeguard national security and will resolutely crack down on acts and activities that endanger it. Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law; the HKSAR government enforces the law strictly, holds offenders accountable, and will do everything to prevent, stop, and punish acts that threaten national security, fulfilling this fundamental responsibility, Lee said. 
 
The CE emphasized that the court's judgment spans over 800 pages, and the HKSAR government will study the judgment in detail and issue a more comprehensive statement in due course.