Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam, made it clear that no one should interfere with the legal proceedings in the city. This statement was in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to secure the release of media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Lai has been detained since December 2021 under the national security law and was later sentenced to five years and nine months in a separate fraud case.
During a press conference after the Hong Kong Legal Week event, Lam addressed questions about Trump’s remarks and the potential impact of US sanctions on Hong Kong officials. Despite the threats and statements made against him, Lam stated that he remains steadfast in fulfilling his duties for Hong Kong.
The trial of Jimmy Lai, accused of colluding with foreign forces and conspiring to publish seditious materials, has been ongoing for over 90 days. Trump’s previous actions in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, such as signing the Human Rights and Democracy Act, have strained relations with Beijing.
In response to the passage of the national security law, Trump ended Hong Kong’s special trade status and imposed sanctions on Hong Kong officials. Although Lam has not been sanctioned, a group of US lawmakers called for sanctions on 27 more Hong Kong officials, including Lam, citing concerns over the city’s national security laws and the conviction of pro-democracy figures.
As a journalist based in Hong Kong, I have extensively covered the political and social developments in the city, including the aftermath of the 2019 protests and the impact of the national security law. My reporting aims to provide insights into the evolving landscape of Hong Kong under the new legal framework imposed by Beijing.
