A group of lawmakers of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) go to the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau on December 16, 2025 to petition and strongly condemn the US for its unwarranted interference in the Jimmy Lai case. Photo: Courtesy of DAB

Dozens of lawmakers of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) went to the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau on Tuesday to petition and strongly condemn the US for its unwarranted interference in the Jimmy Lai case, slandering and tarnishing Hong Kong's judiciary. 

The ruling in the Jimmy Lai case, where he was convicted of conspiring to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring to publish seditious materials, is a crucial manifestation of the defense of national security, full implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and the strengthening of the rule of law in Hong Kong. However, the US, along with some Western countries and politicians, have publicly interfered in the case, defamed Hong Kong's judiciary, and interfered with China's sovereignty. We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, according to the lawmakers. 

Jimmy Lai used media outlets under his control as platforms for anti-China and destabilizing activities in Hong Kong, openly calling on foreign countries to impose sanctions and take hostile actions against the country and the Hong Kong SAR. He wantonly created social divisions, stirred up confrontation, incited hatred, promoted violence, and infiltrated and poisoned young people, causing long-term damage to the country's fundamental interests and Hong Kong's social stability, the lawmakers said. 

His conduct is extremely shameful and driven by sinister motives. Yet some Western countries and politicians in the US and elsewhere have turned a blind eye to Jimmy Lai's criminal acts, repeatedly making irresponsible remarks on his case, shielding him, openly attacking court rulings, interfering with Hong Kong's judicial independence, and trampling on the spirit of the rule of law. Such actions seriously violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations, they noted. 

Hong Kong Legislative Council member Nixie Lam Lam, who participated in the petition, told the Global Times that Jimmy Lai, as the figurehead of a vulgar media outlet, leveraged political opportunities for personal gain. 

"After the 2014 illegal 'Occupy Central' movement and during the social unrest in 2019, his newspaper became a propaganda machine for anti-China and destabilizing activities in Hong Kong, wantonly spreading distorted fake news, inciting social division, and glorifying violence," Lam said. 

"The so-called 'defender of freedom' is merely a politically styled image created by foreign politicians. Hong Kong people are well aware of his ugly true face and look upon him with contempt," Lam said. 

She added that Jimmy Lai has long prided himself on betraying his country, collaborating openly with foreign forces, frequently visiting the White House for meetings and handshakes, all the while claiming to champion democracy but in fact continuously calling for sanctions against China.

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

Safeguarding national security is a fundamental prerequisite for a country's survival and development. Western countries, including the US, attach great importance to national security legislation and strictly punish all criminals who collude with foreign forces or incite rebellion, undermining national security, said the DAB members and lawmakers participating in the petition.

We urge relevant US politicians to immediately stop shielding anti-China and destabilizing elements, manipulating politics, undermining Hong Kong's judicial independence, and interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, they noted.