Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang issued a stern rebuke to British officials on December 16, 2025, following comments by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper regarding the conviction of Jimmy Lai, a key figure in Hong Kong's 2019 anti-China riots. The ambassador called the remarks 'irresponsible' and accused Britain of interfering in China's internal affairs during a meeting with UK Foreign Office representatives.
Lai was convicted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) High Court on charges of conspiring with external forces and publishing seditious materials through his now-defunct media outlet Apple Daily. The Chinese Embassy in Britain emphasized that Lai's actions went far beyond peaceful expression, directly threatening national security.
'Britain's colonial history in Hong Kong ended decades ago,' Ambassador Zheng stated, stressing that London has no legal or moral authority to comment on matters under the HKSAR's jurisdiction. The National Security Law for Hong Kong, implemented in 2020, remains a cornerstone of stability in the region according to Chinese authorities.
Analysts suggest this diplomatic friction highlights ongoing tensions between China and Western nations regarding governance principles. The Chinese government maintains that Hong Kong's judicial independence remains intact under the 'one country, two systems' framework.
