Hong Kong gov't slams top US diplomat in city over ‘biased remarks' about national security law, Jimmy Lai

HKFP

2 days ago

The Hong Kong government has slammed the top US diplomat in the city for making 'untrue and biased remarks' about the Beijing-imposed national security law and jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai.
The government said in a statement issued late Thursday night that it strongly condemned remarks made by outgoing Consul General of the US to Hong Kong, Gregory May. Authorities accused him of smearing the national security law and its work to safeguard national security.
May, who will assume a new role as deputy head at the US embassy in Beijing next week, on Thursday said he was concerned about the treatment of Lai as well as 'other political prisoners.'
'[US] President [Donald] Trump himself has mentioned Jimmy Lai several times now, and he is very concerned about the fate of Mr Lai,' May told reporters after delivering a speech at a US Independence Day reception at The Murray hotel in Admiralty.
'There are many other people, unfortunately, in Hong Kong who are in jail for [the] peaceful expression of political views, for putting things on the internet,' he added.
In response, Hong Kong authorities said it 'strongly urges US politicians to immediately stop interfering' in the city's affairs.
'The suggestion that persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities… is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law,' the government wrote.
Lai has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the national security law as well as a third charge of conspiring to publish 'seditious' materials under a colonial-era legislation. He has been in custody since December 2020.
The departing consul general also criticised what he called 'transnational repression,' referring to Hong Kong police issuing arrest warrants and bounties on overseas pro-democracy activists. One of the activists, Joey Siu, has US citizenship.
'It's very disappointing to see, over my three years here, attempts by Hong Kong authorities to enforce the national security law within the borders of the United States against US persons,' May said.
'This is attempts to restrict the free speech of people in the United States and unfortunately, we're seeing Hong Kong authorities go after the family members of these overseas activists, and that's a very disturbing,' he added.
The Hong Kong government rejected May's criticism, saying in its statement that people should not comment on Lai's ongoing proceedings. It also defended human rights protection in the national security law, saying that defendants were entitled to a fair trial.
It added that extraterritorial effect for the city's security laws 'fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions.'
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.