US EditionG7 foreign ministers condemn conviction of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai
G7 foreign ministers denounce the conviction under Hong Kong's national security law and urge immediate release, citing concerns over rights erosion and media freedom decline.
- On Dec. 17, 2025, G7 foreign ministers in Ottawa condemned Jimmy Lai's conviction, called for his immediate release, and expressed concern about deteriorating rights and autonomy in Hong Kong.
- The Beijing-imposed National Security Law provided the legal basis for Lai's conviction after a trial lasting more than 1 year and an 855-page judgment.
- A four-day mitigation hearing on January 12 will determine Jimmy Lai's sentence as his family and legal team cite frail health and harsh detention conditions while he faces life imprisonment.
- Against international criticism, local authorities framed the judgment as justice served, with Chief Executive John Lee and Hong Kong policy bureaus backing the ruling while Britain called it politically motivated and the European Union cited democracy erosion.
- Analysts warn Lai's fate could become a long-term diplomatic irritant as observers say the landmark case intensifies scrutiny of Hong Kong's judicial independence amid a crackdown.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Beijing, Hong Kong slam G7 over criticism of Jimmy Lai trial verdict
Beijing and Hong Kong have slammed the G7 for “trampling the city’s rule of law” after the group criticised the guilty verdict handed down at former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s national security trial and demanded his immediate release. The strongly worded statements on Thursday were in response to a joint call from the foreign ministers of the G7 and the European Union’s high representative, who condemned Lai’s prosecution while expressing…
Media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty on Monday of publishing 160 news articles. He faces life in prison. At the same time, China is accused of torturing prisoners and persecuting Hong Kong activists abroad.
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs and her G7 counterparts deplored the conviction of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty of violating the Hong Kong National Security Act earlier this week.
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