Chinese Mission To EU Condemns European Parliament’s Resolution On Hong Kong

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 09:34 IST

The resolution had called for the immediate and unconditional release of media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly condemned a so-called “resolution” passed by the European Parliament

China’s mission to the European Union and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government have sharply criticised a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Hong Kong, calling it politically motivated and based on what they described as unfounded allegations.

In a statement issued on Friday, the HKSAR government rejected the resolution’s criticism of Hong Kong’s national security legislation, accusing the European Parliament of attempting to smear the legal framework and interfere in the city’s internal affairs.

The resolution had called for the immediate and unconditional release of media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily.

Lai was convicted in December on charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

His sentencing, along with that of his co-defendants, is scheduled to be announced at a later date.

A government spokesperson said the European Parliament had ignored the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary and the detailed reasoning behind the court’s ruling.

The spokesperson noted that the trial court issued an 855-page judgment that is publicly available and sets out the legal principles applied and the evidence examined.

“The conviction is firmly grounded in law and fact," the spokesperson said, adding that the ruling was reached strictly in accordance with legal procedures and without political interference.

The government also dismissed claims that the case undermined press freedom, arguing that Lai and others were prosecuted for actions that endangered national security rather than for legitimate journalistic activity.

According to the statement, the right to freedom of the press and expression remains protected under Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the Bill of Rights, but those freedoms are subject to restrictions necessary to safeguard national security and public order, principles the government said are recognised under international human rights conventions.

Responding to concerns raised in the resolution about Lai’s treatment while in custody, the HKSAR government said detainees are guaranteed access to appropriate medical care.

It added that medical services are available around the clock, with specialist treatment arranged when required, and noted that Lai’s legal team had stated during a court hearing in January that he had no complaints about his custodial conditions.

The spokesperson urged the European Parliament to “understand the facts" and refrain from what it described as interference in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs.

The government reiterated its commitment to enforcing national security laws while protecting lawful rights and freedoms, and said it would continue to uphold the rule of law and the “one country, two systems" framework while acting firmly against activities that threaten national security.

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