The British government’s statement against the sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai included the formal transmission of a diplomatic protest directly to the Chinese ambassador in London, marking an episode of particular tension within bilateral relations. According to the British press, the British authorities based their complaint on concerns for the integrity of human rights and diplomatic protection of Lai, who has British nationality. This protest was formalized in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was also due to the historic commitments made following the transfer of sovereignty to Hong Kong in 1997. The diplomatic act aimed to expressly reject both the sentence imposed by the Hong Kong courts and the legal proceedings initiated against the businessman and activist, as well as calling for his immediate release.
According to British media, the 78-year-old Lai’s conviction, mediated by the implementation of the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, has been called into question due to a lack of procedural safeguards and the alleged political motivation behind the trial. Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper publicly stated that both Beijing and the local government were persecuting Lai because he defended freedom of expression in the city. Cooper also stressed to the British Parliament that the diplomatic initiative was a response to the United Kingdom’s duty to protect its citizens and its policy to uphold fundamental rights in areas where it upholds historic commitments, such as in the case of Hong Kong.
The British media explained that the protest in front of Ambassador Zheng Zeguang was part of an increasing restriction of civil rights in Hong Kong as a result of the national security law. Various sources cited by the British press indicate that the application of this regulation has reduced the scope for action for critical sectors and limited the space for the independent press, as shown, for example, by the closure of the Apple Daily newspaper, founded by Jimmy Lai. The businessman’s case gained international relevance following the 2019 civil protests, considered the largest in the region since the transfer of power, and has since established itself as a reference for groups advocating for autonomy and a free media in Hong Kong.
According to the British press, the British government strengthened its opposition to the verdict after believing that the court decision posed a threat not only to Britain’s national security, but also to the rights of all its citizens abroad. The official statement highlighted the violation of internationally recognized legal guarantees during Lai’s trial and supported the theory that the case was part of a broader campaign of repression against dissent and independent information. The British authorities emphasized that Jimmy Lai’s situation was paradigmatic of the political changes that the city is experiencing under the direct influence of the Chinese central government.
British media also reported that the London government’s current strategy involves coordinating with international allies to increase pressure on Beijing. The aim is to strengthen the collective defense of civil rights and draw attention to political developments in Hong Kong. Official sources confirmed the continuity of diplomatic efforts aimed at making visible the concerns of the international community and demanding respect for basic guarantees in the Special Administrative Region.
Various international forums have echoed the position of the United Kingdom, whose government reiterated the importance of protecting freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of people with British nationality in risky situations. According to the national press, the impact of Jimmy Lai’s trial and conviction goes beyond the individual level and impacts the civil rights of Hong Kong society as a whole, shifting the debate beyond a single case to the future of the city under current political conditions.
Sources quoted by British media assured that the summons to the Chinese ambassador and the handing over of the lawsuit were part of a sustained policy to make the case visible to the international public and continue to demand the protection of fundamental freedoms in the region. According to reports in the country’s press, the British government is constantly evaluating new measures in response to the evolving situation in Hong Kong and remains in close contact with other governments to exchange information and coordinate initiatives to defend human rights.
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