Hong Kong rejects US hearing on Lai case
Hkgov · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong SAR Government said on September 18 that it firmly rejected a so-called hearing held by politicians in the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China concerning Lai Chee-ying, who it described as having been convicted of offences endangering national security. The government also strongly condemned the commission for what it called collusion with anti-China and destabilising elements, as well as for making false and smearing remarks and reviving a so-called bill and sanctions. Officials argued that criticism linked to Lai’s case distorts the facts and wrongly portrays the city’s legal and human rights situation. The administration further maintained that the case is unrelated to press freedom and instead concerns conduct it says harmed the country and Hong Kong
Key Points
- The Hong Kong SAR Government said on September 18 it firmly rejected a so-called CECC hearing on Lai Chee-ying’s national security case
- It accused CECC politicians of colluding with anti-China and destabilising elements, while making false and smearing remarks about Hong Kong
- The government said a so-called bill and sanctions were again being introduced to intimidate Hong Kong personnel safeguarding national security
- Officials argued Western countries, including the United States, have extensive national security laws but still criticise Hong Kong with double standards
- The statement said Lai used journalism as a guise, controlled Apple Daily’s editorial direction, and repeatedly sought foreign sanctions
Why It Matters
The statement shows the Hong Kong government is continuing to frame overseas criticism of national security cases as foreign interference rather than legal scrutiny. For Hong Kong readers, the dispute also underlines that the Lai Chee-ying case remains a focal point in tensions between the city’s authorities and US political bodies over national security, rule of law and press freedom