Benny Tai sentenced to 10 years in prison in first case of subversion of state power in Hong Kong

Forty-five people convicted of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 50 months to 10 years in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday held a hearing at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to deliver sentences for the case of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" in Hong Kong.

The Central Government firmly supports the HKSAR in safeguarding national security and punishing all acts that undermine national security in accordance with the law, and firmly opposes the interference of certain Western countries in China's internal affairs and their attempt to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law by using relevant case, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday in response to the sentencing of 45 separatist activists in the case of conspiracy to subvert state power.

The sentencing was announced on Tuesday, with former legal professor and instigator of the Hong Kong unrest Benny Tai Yiu-ting sentenced to 10 years in prison, and secessionist Joshua Wong Chi-fung to 56 months in prison. This is the first case of subversion of state power in Hong Kong. 

In total, 47 people were initially prosecuted in a case involving the so-called 35-plus political strategy aimed to "paralyze" the city's government. Two were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while the other 45 were convicted under the charge.

Apart from Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, former lawmaker Au Nok-hin was sentenced to six years and nine months, Andrew Chiu Ka-yin was sentenced to seven years, and Ben Chung Kam-lun to six years and one month, China Central Television reported. The prison sentences ranged from 50 months to 10 years, according to the report. 

Following the sentencing, Western media including CNN and BBC spared no time in voicing their support for what they claim to be "pro-democracy figures," while calling the national security trial "controversial."

The sentences delivered by the Hong Kong court are in line with the expectations of the legal community, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran current affairs commentator and deputy secretary-general of the Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"This is a landmark case for Hong Kong's judicial development and progress. The case has established the right track and direction to maintain Hong Kong's law and order," Chu said. 

"The judges have withstood immense pressure from Western countries and made rulings in accordance with the law," Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times, "It highlights the effectiveness of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in safeguarding national security and maintaining stability, as well as the courage and determination of the SAR government and its judicial department."

The court's rulings have gained wide recognition among local residents, Lau said, further enhancing the authority and effectiveness of Hong Kong's legal system. 

"The verdict also serves as a warning to external forces attempting to interfere in Jimmy Lai's trial, making it clear that their schemes will not succeed," Lau added. 

Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, said the case is about the trial of "the source of social unrest and violence in Hong Kong, and the main culprit behind the disruption of Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and democratic rule of law."

During the trial of this case, the US and some Western countries exerted pressure through arbitrary attacks and smear campaigns, and some politicians clamoring for sanctions against officials of the SAR government and court judges. 

"They attempted to interfere with the court's independent judgment and influence its rulings. Their hypocritical double standards and schemes to disrupt Hong Kong and contain China have been fully exposed and must be strongly condemned," Fu said.