Letter to The Wall Street Journal
17 January 2026 The Editor
Wall Street Journal
Dear Editor,
Your editorial “How China Abuses Jimmy Lai” (January 16) is entirely unfounded. Blatantly ignoring the facts of Lai Chee-ying’s case, your Editorial Board has stooped low in an attempt to deceive the public and undermine Hong Kong SAR and China.
Lai’s custodial arrangements are made having regard to his own requests. He has never raised complaints about these arrangements nor about the medical services in custody, as confirmed by Lai’s senior counsel at open court hearing on 12 January. Lai’s general health conditions were stable.
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) adheres strictly to statutory requirements on handling custodial arrangements and is committed to ensuring that custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy, including adequate lighting and ventilation, social visits, correspondence, welfare and religious services, outdoor exercises, and appropriate and timely medical support.
Lai’s removal from association has all along been made upon his own requests and approved by CSD after considering all relevant factors. He has not been deprived of entitlements as a person-in-custody on account of his personal circumstances or by the mere fact of his removal from association.
Lai’s daughter has repeatedly attempted to maliciously smear the HKSAR Government to mislead the public. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns such acts.
Lai’s trial was conducted by the court independently in an open, fair and impartial manner, with the verdict based solely on law and evidence. We firmly reject any attempt to interfere with our judiciary, which exercises independent judicial power in accordance with the law.
Chris Tang
Secretary for Security
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region