On December 15, 2025, the High Court of the HKSAR delivered its verdict, finding Jimmy Lai guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, The photo shows Lai being escorted away in a vehicle of the Correctional Services Department after the court's ruling. Photo: VCG

Multiple central government departments of China voiced their support on Monday for the verdict on Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong. Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said on Monday that it firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR's legal conviction of Jimmy Lai, a chief culprit behind the anti-China and disruptive activities in Hong Kong. The numerous facts revealed during the court proceedings clearly prove that Lai engaged in activities that endangered national security, further solidifying the public's perception that he was a chief culprit behind the past chaos in Hong Kong. He is a traitor who willingly serves as a "lackey" of external forces. People across the country, including our compatriots in Hong Kong, are outraged by this and strongly demand that he be severely punished according to the law, the office said. 

Hong Kong's rule of law cannot be shaken. Laws must be obeyed and violations punished; the law is vast and rigorous, leaving no one beyond its reach, the office said. 

In today's Hong Kong, the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security have become increasingly sound. The days when external forces and anti-China, destabilizing elements could act with impunity are gone for good. Any individual or organization that dares to challenge national security laws or engage in acts and activities endangering national security—regardless of the pretext they use or what "backers" or "masters" stand behind them—will inevitably face severe punishment under the law, according to the office. 

A spokesperson for the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR on Monday also expressed firm support for the HKSAR in punishing Jimmy Lai's crimes endangering national security in accordance with the law. Safeguarding national security is a top priority for any country, and anyone who violates the Hong Kong National Security Law will inevitably face legal punishment, the spokesperson said. 

The numerous facts revealed in the trial of Lai fully prove that he was the main planner and participant in a series of anti-China and pro-chaos activities in Hong Kong, a pawn of external anti-China forces, and the chief culprit behind the "anti-extradition bill activities," the spokesperson said, adding that Lai's actions severely undermined the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle, seriously endangered national security, and seriously damaged Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and the well-being of its residents. Such serious crimes should be severely punished by law, the spokesperson said. 

The trial of the Jimmy Lai case was conducted in an open and transparent manner, with fair and impartial procedures. Jimmy Lai's lawful rights were effectively guaranteed, and his legal counsel confirmed in court that Lai had not been subjected to any unfair treatment while in custody, the spokesperson said. 

A small number of Western politicians and anti-China media outlets, under the pretext of "human rights" and "freedom," have sought to smear Hong Kong's rule of law, openly speak up for Jimmy Lai, and whitewash his acts endangering national security. Such actions constitute a blatant interference in Hong Kong's judicial process, amount to politically motivated manipulation, and represent a gross trampling on the spirit of the rule of law. They fully expose the hypocrisy and double standards of those involved. We strongly condemn such behavior, the spokesperson added. 

We firmly support the Hong Kong SAR in fully and accurately implementing the National Security Law for Hong Kong. Any attempt to obstruct the Hong Kong SAR's efforts to safeguard national security is doomed to fail, the central government's liaison office said on Monday.

The despicable actions of external forces that exert pressure to interfere in the adjudication of national security cases in the HKSAR, and even threaten sanctions against HKSAR officials and judicial personnel, will not shake the HKSAR's resolve to uphold the rule of law and safeguard national security. Such actions will only further arouse the unity and indignation of Hong Kong society against enemy, and more quickly toll the death knell for their agents in Hong Kong, the office noted.