Hong Kong leader says Jimmy Lai's jail term upholds rule of law

Hong Kong leader John Lee said the 20-year sentence against pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai reinforces the city’s rule of law. Lai was convicted on charges including collusion with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials.

Reuters

February 9, 2026

Hong Kong leader says Jimmy Lai's jail term upholds rule of law

FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of Apple Daily arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates's Courts to face charges related to an illegal vigil assembly commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, in Hong Kong, China November 3, 2020.

Tyrone Siu/Reuters

A 20-year jail term for China critic and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai was "deeply gratifying" and upholds Hong Kong's rule of law, the city's leader, John Lee, said on Monday.

The comments came in a statement after Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of publishing seditious materials.

-Reporting by Jessie Pang and James Pomfret; Writing by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Clarence Fernandez/Reuters