Vice minister backs jailing of Lai, others

Secessionists and rioters deserve whatever they get, says the vice minister of foreign affairs, Le Yucheng, in response to questions about deteriorating democracy in Hong Kong.

Le said in an interview with the Associated Press that "democracy fighters" facing trial or have been convicted are not the opposition party but mere rioters.

He made the comments after Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, 72, and opposition politicians including Martin Lee Chu-ming, 82, were sentenced to prison for illegal assemblies two years ago.

On Friday, Lai and former lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan, 64, were sentenced to 14 months in prison for taking part in unauthorized assemblies in August 2019. Martin Lee, founding chairman of the Democratic Party and a senior counsel, was given an 11-month sentence suspended for two years.

Le said the administration of Hong Kong follows the country's constitution and the Basic Law, not the laws of any other country.

"Hong Kong is always China's Hong Kong. That will not change," he said.

Le said the electoral changes passed by the National People's Congress on March 11 are to implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

He added: "Administration by patriots is also a political ethic and a common practice across the world. Just imagine if someone does not love the motherland or is even asking for Hong Kong independence, then how can he be qualified to take part in the administration of the Hong Kong SAR? It is impossible.

"So those anti-China, destabilizing elements in Hong Kong are not really the so-called opposition party or pro-democracy advocates. They are actually separatists and rioters. Standing trial is what they deserve," he said.

Asked whether Hong Kong will be like a mainland city in 20 years, Le said: "Twenty years later, Hong Kong will see greater stability, more prosperity and a happier life for its people. This, we believe, will be the future of Hong Kong."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR opposed the "groundless accusations and malicious smears" by US, British and European Union politicians calling for the release of Lai and others.

The spokesman said those Western politicians have double standards when they intervene in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and they are "trampling on the rule of law in Hong Kong and international society."

He said the sentencing was based on sufficient evidence, the procedures were legal and the judgment had been made public. He added: "Some foreign interference forces often talk about the rule of law, but they have repeatedly glorified the criminals as democracy fighters, and obstructed the SAR judiciary from handling cases in accordance with the law and placing political manipulation above the laws."

Also on Friday, former lawmakers "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, Au Nok-hin and Cyd Ho Sau-lan were sent to jail. Their sentences, respectively, were 18 months, 10 months and eight months.

Prominent barrister Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee and veteran democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan were sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years.

Former lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung got eight months, suspended for one year.