The court verdict in the national security case involving Lai Chee-ying and three companies related to Apple Daily illustrated Hong Kong’s ability to interdict all the attempts to affect national security.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung made the remarks today while meeting the media following Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies' conviction on three charges of offences endangering national security. 

Welcoming the verdict, Mr Tang said: “For whatever criminal cases, including those relating to national security, if we have evidence, we will arrest. If we have sufficient evidence, we will prosecute. No one is above the law.

“Regarding international concerns about this case, I think a lot of foreign consular staff, they have been attending the trial throughout. And they are witness to how this trial is being openly and fairly (tried).

“I think this illustrates these kind of activities, if it happened in any country, if someone (was) using the media to try to overturn a regime, I think this is not bearable by every government.

“I think this case illustrates how safe Hong Kong is, and how we are able to interdict all the national security concerns, all the attempts to affect our national security.

“I think this is a good showcase to show that we are safe, and we are safe to do investment in Hong Kong.”