The United Kingdom has vowed to “rapidly engage” with Chinese authorities following the sentencing of pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court.
Lai, 78, was convicted in December on national security charges and received the harshest sentence yet under Hong Kong’s controversial security law on Monday.
Harshest Sentence Under Security Law
The court found Lai guilty of two counts of colluding with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials through his now-defunct newspaper, Apple Daily.
His sentence is the longest imposed so far under the Beijing-backed national security law, which Chinese authorities say is necessary for maintaining stability in Hong Kong.
Six former executives of Apple Daily were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from six years and nine months to ten years.
UK Condemns Verdict
Reacting to the ruling, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the sentence as “tantamount to a life sentence” given Lai’s age.
In a statement, she said:
“We again call on the Hong Kong authorities to end his appalling ordeal and release him on humanitarian grounds so that he may be reunited with his family.”
The British government said it would intensify diplomatic efforts to secure Lai’s release.
Criticism of UK Government
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism for failing to secure Lai’s freedom during his recent visit to Beijing.
The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention accused the government of weak diplomacy, saying an opportunity to free Lai had been missed.
Lai’s son, Sebastien, also criticised the visit, calling it a “wasted opportunity” to press for his father’s release.
Hong Kong Authorities Defend Sentence
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed the verdict, describing Lai’s actions as “heinous” and “despicable.”
He accused the media tycoon of using Apple Daily to spread hatred, distort facts, and invite foreign sanctions against China.
Security officials also dismissed concerns about Lai’s health, insisting he receives adequate medical care in prison.
Human Rights Groups React
Several international human rights and media organisations condemned the ruling.
Human Rights Watch described the sentence as “effectively a death sentence,” citing Lai’s declining health.
His legal team called the trial a “sham” and urged world leaders to demand his immediate release.
Global Reactions
Taiwan’s government said Lai’s case shows the failure of the “one country, two systems” model and warned its citizens to learn from Hong Kong’s experience.
Supporters and journalists gathered outside the court, expressing shock at the severity of the punishment.
What Lies Ahead for Lai
Two years of Lai’s sentence will run concurrently with previous convictions, meaning he is expected to serve 18 additional years.
With possible sentence remission, he could be released around 2037 or 2038, when he would be nearly 90 years old.
Without remission, he may remain imprisoned until 2044.
Impact on Press Freedom
Observers say the sentencing marks another blow to press freedom in Hong Kong and signals Beijing’s tightening grip on dissent.
Apple Daily, once one of Hong Kong’s most influential pro-democracy newspapers, was forced to shut down in 2021 after authorities froze its assets.
