Chairs Condemn Sentencing, Seek Medical Parole for Jimmy Lai

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair and Co-Chair respectively of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), released the following statement in response to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai by the Hong Kong authorities:

“We condemn today’s sentencing of democracy advocate and prisoner of conscience Jimmy Lai—another step in Beijing’s campaign to crush independent journalism and peaceful dissent in Hong Kong. This is not justice. It is the weaponization of the courts to punish speech and intimidate an entire society.

“We call on the Hong Kong authorities to grant Jimmy Lai medical parole and release him immediately and unconditionally. After years of arbitrary detention and worsening health due to harsh prison conditions, he should not spend one more night behind bars.

“We remain deeply alarmed by the dismantling of Hong Kong’s autonomy and rule of law. The Chinese Communist Party must end the criminalization of the very freedoms that once made Hong Kong an engine of global commerce and a beacon for liberty-starved mainlanders.                                 

“In light of today’s event, we urge our Congressional colleagues to advance bipartisan legislation swiftly—including the Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act (S.1755), HKETO Certification Act (S.3655 / H.R.2661), and the Jimmy Lai Way Act (H.R. 2522)—to hold officials accountable for unjust prosecutions and detentions, and to ensure Hong Kong’s U.S. trade offices are not falsely promoting a version of judicial independence and free speech protections that no longer exist.”