Beijing warns US over Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong and Taiwan arms sales ahead of Trump visit
Foreign ministry urges US to ‘safeguard the stable development of China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait’
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Lai “should be severely punished according to the law”, and accused external forces of interfering in “Hong Kong’s judicial process and China’s internal affairs”.
“Jimmy Lai is a major planner and participant in a series of serious anti-China and destabilising incidents in Hong Kong,” Guo said.
“His actions seriously challenged the bottom line of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, endangered national security and undermined Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, as well as the well-being of its residents.”
Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security crimes
The remarks came in response to a question about Washington’s hopes for Lai to be released on humanitarian grounds and speculation that it might consider easing some sanctions related to Hong Kong as part of a potential arrangement.