According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry Commissioner's Office in Hong Kong, Commissioner Cui Jianchun had met with the city's new US Consul General, Julie Eadeh who paid a formal visit to the Office on September 23.
The official press release from the Foreign Ministry Commissioner's Office.
During Eadeh’s visit, Cui bluntly advised the US to drop its sanctions against Hong Kong and demanded that Eadeh stick to her job as a diplomat. The message was unmistakable: stop meddling in Hong Kong and China's internal affairs, and start acting constructively for the good of China-US relations and the city's stability.
Commissioner Cui Jianchun lays down the rules for new US Consul General Julie Eadeh during their first official meeting on September 23.
According the FMCO statement, Eadeh responded by saying that she would lead the consulate to push a "positive agenda" and foster exchanges between the US and Hong Kong.
Eadeh, who took over as Consul General for Hong Kong and Macau in August, has already caused a stir. She recently held two inaugural receptions and made a point of inviting opposition figures like Anson Chan and Emily Lau. Beijing was not amused, viewing her actions as overstepping, provocatively motivated, and a clear case of interfering in China's domestic politics.
Opposition figure Emily Lau's Facebook post with Julie Eadeh, which helped trigger the diplomatic friction.
According to one expert, Cui Jianchun's pointed reminder for Eadeh to "act like a diplomat" and "stay out of Hong Kong's affairs" was nothing less than drawing a red line. The message is simple: if Eadeh continues to meddle, she can expect a forceful response.
Ariel
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For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.
But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.
No Case for Sympathy
The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.
The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.
He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.
Minor Ailments, Maximum Care
In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.
The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.
The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.
Judge Draws the Line
Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.
The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.
Isolation by Choice
On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.
The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.
