December 17, 2025
The Editor
The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
Your editorial “Jimmy Lai and the end of Hong Kong” (December 15) could hardly be further from the truth. Not only does your editorial attempt to denigrate Hong Kong – a city widely regarded as one of the freest economies and safest metropolises in the world – it also ignores the hard facts in Lai Chee-ying’s criminal case.
I am compelled to set the record straight for your readers.
No one is above the law in Hong Kong. Lai’s trial was held in open court and there were a number of foreign consulate staff attending the whole course of the trial, seeing for themselves how open and fair this trial is.
Contrary to the distorted picture which your editorial seeks to paint, Lai was convicted in a case involving a total of three charges of offences endangering national security. In the verdict fully available for public inspection, the three High Court judges clearly explained that Lai's only intent, whether pre or post implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (in June 2020), was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
If someone uses biased, false or misleading information to attempt overthrowing the government, this would not be bearable for any country.
Furthermore, Lai received appropriate treatment and medical care during his detention and the arrangements for his detention had been made at his own request.
Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. This is applicable to Lai’s case as in other cases under the National Security Law, or indeed any other laws.
Chris Tang
Secretary for Security
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region