China strongly rejects remarks on the conviction of Jimmy Lai from the Norwegian side. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. The so-called "democracy" and "freedom of speech" are by no means a shield for illegal and criminal activities. A quantity of evidence presented in the trial fully prove that Jimmy Lai was the principle planner and active participant in a series of anti-China, destabilizing Hong Kong riots, and a behind-the-scenes instigator in attempting a "color revolution" there. He colluded with "Hong Kong independence" and riot organizations as well as foreign actors, drumming up support for violence. Such crimes gravely jeopardized national security, severely undermined nation’s fundamental interests and the well-being of ordinary Hong Kong citizens. His crimes are numerous and substantiated by evidence. Such serious crimes deserve punishment under the law.

Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. We urge Norwegian side to respect China’s sovereignty, respect facts and rule of law, and refrain from interfering with Hong Kong juridical affairs and China’s internal affairs.