The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday strongly rejected other countries’ interference in China’s internal affairs over the national security case of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, stressing that no one should engage in illegal activities under the guise of “freedom”.

After nearly four months’ adjournment, the trial against Lai restarted on Wednesday, and he testified for the first time in the landmark case. The trial is expected to last for about a month.

The former media tycoon is facing two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, marking the city’s first case involving such a charge. He is also charged with conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications.

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The trial follows just one day after the sentencing of 45 individuals involved in a subversive plot to paralyze the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, which marked the city’s largest national security trial.

During a media conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that observing and strictly enforcing the law is a basic principle in Hong Kong, and no one can engage in illegal activities under the coverage of freedom and try to escape justice.

Lin pointed out that Lai is accused of being a major organizer and participant in a series of events that undermined the stability of Hong Kong, acting as an agent for anti-China forces.

The spokesman emphasized that based on Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong, the HKSAR government safeguards national security in a lawful and justified manner, and the Judiciary of Hong Kong exercise judicial power independently according to the law with fair and transparent procedures.

The central government firmly backs the HKSAR in safeguarding national security and lawfully punishing activities that undermine it. It strongly opposes other countries interfering in China’s internal affairs through related judicial cases, and their attempts to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong.

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Appearing in court on Wednesday, Lai admitted to giving £20,000 ($25,320) to Hong Kong Watch, an anti-China hate machine that has repeatedly urged foreign companies to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR.

Asked about his connection with Taiwan, the 76-year-old said that he went to Taiwan when he planned to publish Apple Daily on the island, and met Tsai Ing-wen there. Lai said that he met several times with Tsai to discuss policies concerning Taiwan and the United States.

Lai also said he had introduced Jack Keane, a former American general, and former US deputy secretary of defense Paul Wolfowitz to Tsai after learning she was keen to know the attitude of the US government after 2016, when Donald Trump was first elected president.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com