AFP: I’d like to ask about Jimmy Lai who is convicted today in Hong Kong. The UK, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and some NGOs have criticized the conviction today. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this?

Guo Jiakun: Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing crimes that endanger national security in accordance with the law.

China deplores and firmly opposes certain country blatantly making false accusations against Hong Kong’s judicial affairs. Judicial authorities in Hong Kong SAR fulfill their duties, safeguard the authority of the law and defend national security in accordance with the law. This is justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach. The relevant judicial case is purely Hong Kong’s internal affair. We urge relevant country to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and refrain from making irresponsible remarks on the trial of judicial cases in Hong Kong SAR or meddling in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form.

（Excerpted from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on December 15, 2025）