HONG KONG :– Hong Kong’s most vocal China critic, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in jail, ending the city’s biggest national security case which drew international concern about the city’s freedoms and autonomy. Lai’s sentence was enhanced by the fact that he was the “mastermind” and driving force behind “persistent” foreign collusion conspiracies, the judges said. Beijing in 2020 imposed the national security law upon Hong Kong, saying it was necessary to stabilise the city after months of sometimes violent unrest. “I feel that Mr. Lai is the conscience of Hong Kong,” said a man named Sum, 64, who was in the queue. Trump too, raised Lai’s case with Xi during a meeting in October.

Source: The Patriot February 09, 2026 15:18 UTC