Beijing has sharply condemned Britain and the US after both criticised the jailing of 78-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.
Chinese authorities summoned British and American diplomats to express “strong concerns” over foreign government statements regarding Lai’s conviction on national security and sedition charges.
Lai, a British citizen, has been at the forefront of Hong Kong’s press freedom movement, and London called the conviction “politically motivated and unjustified.”
“The UK and international community are deeply concerned about targeting a man for peacefully exercising freedom of expression,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Founder of the independent Apple Daily newspaper, Lai was arrested and the paper closed in 2020 during Beijing’s crackdown on dissent after massive pro-democracy protests.
Earlier this month, Lai was found guilty under Hong Kong’s national security laws, charged with sedition and collusion with foreign forces, a ruling widely condemned overseas.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the comments from the US, UK, and others amounted to interference in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and “violated China’s sovereignty.”
“China has expressed strong concern and firm opposition to foreign interference in its domestic judicial matters,” a ministry statement said, urging respect for its national sovereignty.
London responded by summoning the Chinese ambassador, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the ruling and demanded the national security law be repealed.
The case is set to dominate talks when Sir Keir Starmer meets President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month, amid growing pressure over Lai’s release.
Lai’s family has raised urgent concerns about his deteriorating health, highlighting the human cost of Beijing’s strict approach to dissent and foreign criticism.
US President Donald Trump said he personally requested President Xi to consider releasing Lai, noting the verdict “silences those who protect freedom of speech.”
Caoilfhionn Gallagher, leader of Lai’s international legal team, warned, “Closer engagement with China must safeguard our core interests, including the safety of a British national behind bars.”
Lai is expected to be sentenced next month, coinciding with Starmer’s Beijing visit between 29 and 31 January, underscoring international stakes in the high-profile case.
The controversy highlights broader tensions over Hong Kong’s eroded democratic and press freedoms, with Western nations pressing Beijing over what they consider politically motivated prosecutions.
Observers say the case sets a worrying precedent, demonstrating how national security laws are being used to stifle dissent and intimidate pro-democracy advocates.
“The short answer is yes,” Gallagher said when asked if Starmer’s trip could mark a “pivotal moment” in protecting Lai and other political detainees in Hong Kong.
International human rights groups have joined calls for Lai’s release, warning that his conviction undermines Hong Kong’s commitments under the handover agreement with Britain.
Lai’s imprisonment has drawn widespread criticism, with foreign governments warning that China’s actions threaten freedom of the press and basic civil liberties in the city.
Analysts suggest that Beijing’s hardline response to the UK and US is part of a broader strategy to deter foreign criticism and assert control over Hong Kong.
The case has intensified diplomatic friction, forcing London and Washington to weigh engagement with China against protecting their citizens and upholding international norms.
Many believe the outcome of Lai’s sentencing will signal China’s willingness to respect—or ignore—international pressure over political imprisonment and media suppression.
Pro-democracy activists fear the case signals a chilling effect on Hong Kong’s civil society, curbing dissent and deterring public advocacy for democratic reforms.
“This is not just a case about one man,” Gallagher said, “it’s about safeguarding our fundamental rights and international law protections for citizens.”
With Starmer’s trip imminent, officials in London and Washington are bracing for tense discussions with Beijing, focusing on human rights, rule of law, and press freedom.
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The Jimmy Lai case continues to reverberate globally, representing the front line of the ongoing struggle between authoritarian control and international advocacy for democratic freedoms.
