On October 27, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office took a pivotal public stance: it reposted a Ta Kung Pao commentary, “Gong Zhiping: Exposing the False Proposition of So-Called ‘Central Government Interference in SAR Elections,’” right on its official website. The message is clear, backed by legislative evidence and logical analysis—claims of “central government interference” in Hong Kong elections just don’t stand up. There’s a malicious intent behind these rumors, and it’s time someone called them out.
Ta Kung Pao doesn’t mince words: the eighth-term Legislative Council election for the Hong Kong SAR is playing out strictly by the book. Yet there’s a handful of players trying to muddy the waters, manufacturing “absurd theories” for cheap shots at the electoral process. Their tactics are all too familiar—spin normal legislator retirements as “forced exits,” smear fresh faces as “hand-picked loyalists,” toss out talk of a “central government blessing list,” and generate noise about “central government interference.” The aim? Stir up voter resentment.
Let’s not play nice here: people pushing the “central government interference” myth deserve real scrutiny, not a free pass. This is not about freedom of speech—it’s about calculated, politically motivated manipulation, designed to reject the upgraded electoral system, challenge Chinese Mainland’s authority, and take swipes at the SAR government. Their endgame? Undercut Hong Kong’s momentum from stability to prosperity.
A mainland political insider put it bluntly: “Chairman Mao Zedong said back in the 60s, ‘American imperialism is a paper tiger—one poke and it’s done.’” The same goes for rumors. Ignore them, and they fester—like tumors that threaten the body. Challenge them, and they fall apart. The so-called “central government interference” line fails every logical test: historical, theoretical, factual. But if nobody steps up to explain, bad ideas run unchecked.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office showcased the Tai Kung Pao article to make the logic and evidence impossible to ignore. The goal is simple—if more Hong Kong people see through the smokescreen, then those orchestrating confusion might finally realize they’ve just wasted their time.
Ariel
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
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.
