**United States Calls Jimmy Lai's Sentence "Unjust and Tragic," Accuses China of Violating International Commitments**
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government strongly condemned the 20-year prison sentence imposed on businessman and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, calling it "unjust and tragic" and accusing China of failing to uphold its international commitments regarding freedoms and civil rights.
In a statement released by the State Department, Washington asserted that the court ruling reflects Beijing's willingness to "go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate for fundamental freedoms," referring to the former publisher of the Apple Daily newspaper and outspoken critic of the Chinese government. U.S. authorities stated that Lai's case symbolizes the deterioration of autonomy and the rule of law in Hong Kong since the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020.
The U.S. administration noted that the conviction violates China's previous promises under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which guaranteed a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong and the protection of rights such as freedom of expression and the press. "The prosecution of pro-democracy figures is incompatible with those commitments," the statement said.
For its part, Beijing defended the sentence and reiterated that the process was conducted in accordance with local law and national security. Chinese officials accused the United States of interfering in internal affairs and of using the case to exert political pressure.
Jimmy Lai's conviction has become one of the most emblematic cases of China's tightening control over Hong Kong and has drawn criticism from Western governments and international human rights organizations. Analysts believe that Washington's response could intensify diplomatic tensions between the two powers, in a context already marked by trade, technological, and geopolitical disputes.
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