Smears on sentence of HK rioters blasted as trampling on local, international laws

Chinese government agencies on Hong Kong affairs, embassies and officials have over the weekend vigorously pushed back against the groundless accusations and smears of some politicians from the US, UK and EU regarding the legal cases against some Hong Kong secessionists including notorious anti- government figure Jimmy Lai, in quick responses which analysts deemed as necessary to prevent the international discourse from being monopolized by the West and justice from being hijacked by anti- China forces.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said in a statement on Sunday that some foreign forces have repeatedly glorified the Hong Kong criminals as “champions of democracy” and obstructed the Hong Kong judiciary’s handling of their cases based on law.

“It is trampling on the rule of law in both Hong Kong and the world,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

The statement came as a response to successive moves by British foreign minister, US Consulate General Hong Kong, and the EU External Action Service accusing Hong Kong authorities of undermining democracy and the fundamental freedoms of people following the sentencing of some Hong Kong rioters on Friday.

Hong Kong’s Department of Justice said it was surprised at the “absurd” demands for the release of defendants who confessed to their crimes or have already been convicted, like Hong Kong riot leader Jimmy Lai, saying it is a flagrant violation of international law, reported Hong Kong media on Saturday.

Chinese embassies and officials firmly pushed back against the foreign countries’ accusations and smears on Saturday and Sunday, urging the relevant parties to stop their interventions in China’s internal affairs.