The government and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have firmly rejected the smears made by politicians of the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) during a so-called "hearing" regarding the case of Lai Chee-ying, also known as Jimmy Lai, who was convicted of offenses endangering national security.

In separate statements on Thursday night, the SAR government and the LegCo strongly condemned the CECC for colluding with anti-China and destabilizing elements and for introducing a so-called “bill” and “sanctions” to intimidate Hong Kong SAR personnel who safeguard national security.

A government spokesman pointed out that Western countries, including the United States, maintain comprehensive national security legal frameworks. Yet, these countries and their politicians – including the CECC – display their hypocrisy and double standards by pointing fingers at the HKSAR’s efforts to safeguard national security.

Anyone who vilifies the rule of law and the human rights situation in the SAR by exploiting the case of Lai, who was convicted of offenses endangering national security, is distorting the facts and reversing right and wrong, the spokesman said, adding: “Their malicious intent has been seen through by all and must be resolutely refuted to set the record straight.”

Pointing out that Lai’s case has nothing to do with press freedom, the government said the defendants used journalism over many years as a guise to create social conflict, incite social antagonism and hatred, and glorify violence, bringing harm to the country and the city.

“The public trial of this case revealed Lai Chee-ying's close management and hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily. He had also repeatedly colluded with foreign forces to beg for sanctions and engaged in hostile activities against the central government and the HKSAR government.”

The court clearly stated that Lai's sole intent – before and after the implementation of the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law – was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China, even though the ultimate cost was to sacrifice the interests of the people of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR.

“Lai Chee-ying himself has chosen not to appeal against his conviction or sentence.”

Regarding allegations about Lai’s health and custodial arrangements, the HKSAR government noticed that certain individuals with ulterior motives have fabricated lies, stressing that facts speak louder than eloquence.

Pointing out that the medical services received by Lai in custody are adequate and comprehensive, the SAR government said his senior counsel confirmed repeatedly that Lai had made no complaints about his treatment in custody, and the court affirmed in its sentencing remarks that the Correctional Services Department has provided adequate medical attention.

The SAR government strongly condemns the anti-China politicians for using the so-called “hearing” to intimidate national security officials with so-called “sanctions”, the spokesman said, adding that such actions constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs and the HKSAR’s affairs, and seriously violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

Opposing the CECC’s hearing — which was held in order to smear, make false remarks and threaten to impose "sanctions" — a spokesperson said the LegCo fully supports the HKSAR government in acting in accordance with the law, and resolutely hit back at the provocative political maneuvering and alarmist talk of some US politicians.

The LegCo spokesperson rejected the use of Lai’s case by US politicians to vilify Hong Kong's rule of law and human rights, and said that the “hearing” disregarded facts and reversed right and wrong.

The LegCo supports the SAR’s courts in conducting independent trials in accordance with the law and evidence, and for setting out in full detail the court's analysis of relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai and other defendants, added the spokesman.