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Danny Mok

Hong Kong authorities have hit out at a US congressional commission for colluding with “anti-China politicians” to hold a hearing on jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and introducing a bill to “intimidate” local national security officials with sanctions.
The government issued the condemnation on Thursday night after the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) held a hearing the previous day on Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper.
During the hearing, Lai’s son appealed for his father’s release. Lai’s national security case and prison conditions, as well as his 20-year sentence, press freedom and rule-of-law issues in Hong Kong were also discussed.
The heads of the CECC also introduced the Jimmy Lai Hong Kong Political Prisoner Accountability Act of 2026. The bipartisan bill seeks to establish a framework requiring the US State Department to investigate within 30 days any death of a “Hong Kong political prisoner” in custody linked to abuse, medical neglect or inhumane conditions.
It would then mandate sanctions within 60 days against responsible or complicit mainland Chinese and Hong Kong officials.
The bill also requires regular reporting to the US Congress on the health of and access to Lai, 78, and other “political prisoners”.


A Hong Kong government spokesman strongly condemned the move.
“The anti-China politicians have once again clamoured at the so-called ‘hearing’ to intimidate the relevant officials safeguarding national security with so-called ‘sanctions’,” the spokesman said.
“All relevant government officials are not intimidated at all and will continue to resolutely discharge their duty of safeguarding national security.”
The spokesman also rejected claims that the case involved press freedom, saying Lai and others had used journalism as a cover to create social conflicts, incite hatred and collude with foreign forces seeking sanctions against the central and Hong Kong governments.
“Anyone who vilifies the rule of law and the human rights situation in [Hong Kong] by exploiting the Lai Chee-ying case is distorting the facts and reversing right and wrong,” the spokesman said.
Lai was jailed for 20 years in February after he was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles.
He did not appeal against the conviction or sentence.
The spokesman also dismissed claims about Lai’s health and prison conditions as fabrications, saying the Correctional Services Department had provided adequate medical care.


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Jimmy Lai, pictured in 2021, was jailed for 20 years in Hong Kong in February for national security offences. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security crimes

Cardinal Joseph Zen and Jimmy Lai’s wife Teresa Lai leave West Kowloon Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Joseph Zen (left) and Lai’s wife Teresa Lai arrive at West Kowloon Court. Photo: Eugene Lee

People queue up outside West Kowloon Court. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sebastian Lai (right) and Claire Lai. Photo: AFP

Chief Superintendent Steve Li says the sentences handed down are appropriate. Photo: Eugene Lee

Cheung Kim-hung. Photo: Dickson Lee

Wayland Chan. Photo: Handout

Andy Li. Photo: Handout

Chung Pui-kuen, husband of Chan Pui-man, leaves West Kowloon Court. Photo: Eugene Lee

Jimmy Lai. Photo: Winson Wong

A Hong Kong Correctional Services vehicle carrying Jimmy Lai arrives at the court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jimmy Lai. Photo: AP

US President Donald Trump said during his 2024 presidential election campaign that he would “100 per cent” get Lai out of the country. Photo: EPA

Sebastien Lai. Photo: AFP

Jimmy Lai will not appeal 20-year sentence after national security trial: source

Jimmy Lai was last month sentenced to 20 years in prison over his conviction on two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and a third of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles. Photo: AFP

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Government says US Congressional-Executive Commission on China is trying to ‘intimidate’ officials with sanctions


Government says US Congressional-Executive Commission on China is trying to ‘intimidate’ officials with sanctions.


Hong Kong hits out at US panel over Jimmy Lai hearing and sanctions bill

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Government says US Congressional-Executive Commission on China is trying to ‘intimidate’ officials with sanctions

Government says US Congressional-Executive Commission on China is trying to ‘intimidate’ officials with sanctions