Western meddlers smearing Hong Kong urged to stop interference in China's internal affairs

HONG KONG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the so-called statements issued by the Western side that grossly interfered in Hong Kong's judiciary and China's internal affairs.

The spokesperson said that the so-called statements regarding the lawful conviction of the Jimmy Lai case by the HKSAR issued by the G7 foreign ministers, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, and countries including Canada, New Zealand, France, and Japan are nothing more than waste paper.

The spokesperson stated that Lai has long willingly served as a "pawn" for external forces to destabilize Hong Kong. The facts of his crimes involving inciting subversion, secession, and endangering national security are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable.

The entire trial process of the Lai case was open and transparent, with full presentation and cross-examination of evidence by both the prosecution and the defense, the spokesperson said, adding that the verdict was based entirely on factual evidence and is beyond reproach.

The spokesperson emphasized that certain countries turned a blind eye to the 855-page verdict, instead whitewashing Lai as a so-called "pro-democracy fighter" or champion of "press freedom," which is a blatant trampling on the spirit of the rule of law.

While the U.S. and other Western countries claim to be concerned about Hong Kong's "rights" and "freedoms," they are worried that the lackeys they nurtured in Hong Kong are being punished, and they are frustrated that their plots to infiltrate and sabotage Hong Kong have failed, the spokesperson noted.

No matter how many countries gather as a motley crew, and no matter how they attempt to pressure China into submission, their actions are akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot or an ant trying to shake a tree, the spokesperson said.■