By Jiang Yichu
In recent days, the US and a few other countries have launched a new wave of malicious attacks and smear campaigns against the enforcement of the national security law in Hong Kong. These attacks focus on the sentencing of 45 individuals convicted of conspiracy to subvert the state power and the ongoing trial of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying. Some have gone so far as to claim that the Hong Kong national security law should be repealed and those found guilty released, while threatening new “sanction” measures against Hong Kong officials, prosecutors and judges involved in safeguarding national security.
The US and some of its allies have portrayed the 45 convicted people as “democracy advocates.” However, evidence presented in court clearly shows that their so-called primary election was a cover for a broader scheme to seize the majority of seats in the Legislative Council, disrupt the functioning of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and provoke a constitutional crisis. Their real purpose was to overthrow the political system established under the Basic Law and the “one country, two systems” framework. These actions were not a genuine pursuit of democracy but rather calculated and illegal moves to undermine Hong Kong’s democratic system, posing a direct threat to national security. Such actions weakened, not strengthened, democracy in Hong Kong.
As for Jimmy Lai, contrary to the image presented in Western media as a “prisoner of conscience,” the nature of his case is equally clear. Lai colluded with foreign governments to undermine China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong, taking advantage of his influence as a local tabloid owner. In court, Lai confessed he “must have discussed” the issue of imposing sanctions on Hong Kong officials with then-US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Speaking in the US to an American audience, Lai declared that he and those with him were “fighting your war in your enemy camp.” Would the US government still extol Jimmy Lai as a “prisoner of conscience” had he been working to overthrow the US government and actively inviting foreign help?
The US and some other countries label the trial a “political trial,” but the facts suggest otherwise. Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law and ranks ahead of the US in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. The judicial authorities of the HKSAR exercise their powers independently in strict accordance with the law, ensuring that trials are fair and transparent, and that the lawful rights of accused persons are fully protected.
In the case of the 45 defendants, after 118 days of open hearings, the court issued a detailed 318-page judgment outlining the evidence, legal reasoning, and basis for the convictions, confirming the existence of a conspiracy to commit subversion. This verdict has been widely recognized by the public in Hong Kong. In Jimmy Lai’s case, representatives of foreign consulates and offices were invited to attend court trials as observers.
Safeguarding national security is a fundamental right of every sovereign state, enshrined in international law and the United Nations Charter. Most countries pointing fingers at Hong Kong have implemented stringent national security laws of their own. The US, for instance, has at least 21 national security-related laws. Following the 2021 Capitol riots, over 1,200 individuals were arrested and charged, with some receiving sentences of up to 22 years. Similarly, after extensive demonstrations in the UK this year, British courts have been working overtime to jail hundreds of protesters on charges of violent disorder or rioting.
The smear campaigns against Hong Kong’s judicial processes only highlight the hypocrisy and double standards of the US and certain other countries. These actions seriously interfere with Hong Kong’s judicial process, undermine the spirit of the rule of law and violate the principle of non-interference in international law. They reflect sinister and lingering attempts to use Hong Kong to contain China.
The riots in 2019 were a savage attack on peace, growth and normal life in Hong Kong, and they remain a distressing and painful memory today. It is the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law that has restored stability and helped the city recover and thrive. The transition from disturbance to order testifies to the effectiveness of the law and the government’s commitment to maintaining social harmony and prosperity. With strong support from the central government, the HKSAR will continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that anyone who endangers national security is brought to justice. The despicable lies and threats from the US and some other countries will not succeed.
The author is a current affair commentator. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
