President Lai backs Jimmy Lai, slams Hong Kong ruling

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) expressed support for Jimmy Lai (黎智英) and all defenders of freedom in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Feb. 10). Lai Ching-te's statement comes after a Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on Monday (Feb. 9) for violating the Hong Kong national security law (國安法), sparking international concern.

Lai Ching-te criticized the ruling, saying it demonstrates the demise of Beijing's "one country, two systems" promise. He argued that the judicial system has become a tool for depriving liberty, suppressing free speech and press, and denying accountability. He highlighted that Jimmy Lai's long-standing advocacy for freedom and democracy resulted in over five years of detention and a two-year trial, illustrating Beijing's abandonment of the Sino-British Joint Declaration (中英聯合聲明).


Lai Ching-te emphasized that Hong Kong's experience serves as a stark warning, reminding us that democracy and freedom are not guaranteed. He called on Beijing to stop using the judiciary for political persecution and urged the international community to remain vigilant against the impact of authoritarian expansion on universal human rights.


Reaffirming Taiwan's commitment, Lai Ching-te stated that the nation will continue to steadfastly safeguard democratic values and work with international partners to protect hard-won freedoms. His call to action underscores the broader implications of Jimmy Lai's sentence and the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic principles amid growing authoritarianism.