The sentencing of the Jimmy Lai case took place today (Feb 9). Among the defendants, the accomplice witnesses Cheung Kim Hung, Chan Pui-man, Yeung Ching-kee , Wayland Chan, and Li Yu-hin received sentence reductions ranging from 7 years and 9 months to 8 years and 9 months, resulting in final sentences of 6 years and 9 months to 7 years and 3 months. In contrast, Law Wai Kwong, Lam Man-chung, and Fung Wai-kwong only received the customary one-third reduction for pleading guilty and were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The sentencing starting point for this group, who were convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the National Security Law, was 15 years. Looking first at the reasons for sentence reductions for the five former Apple Daily executives who testified in court, the court considered all five to be honest witnesses. Their testimonies played a crucial role in convicting Jimmy Lai and the corporate defendants. The court accepted that Article 33(3) of the National Security Law applied to each of them, allowing for leniency or reduced punishment and sentences lower than the starting point. (Article 33 of the National Security Law clearly stipulates three circumstances for sentence reduction: voluntary abandonment of the crime, voluntary surrender, and providing important clues for solving the case or exposing the crimes of others.)
Among them, Wayland Chan received a larger reduction. The court believed that without his testimony, the prosecution would have been unable to obtain crucial evidence regarding the Taiwan meeting and lacked sufficient evidence to link Jimmy Lai with figures such as "Lamchaoba (Fin Lau)." The judge also noted that Wayland Chan was born and educated in the UK and might have concerns about his safety upon returning there, especially since some co-conspirators remain at large. Based on all mitigating factors, he received a total reduction of 8 years and 9 months.
Furthermore, former Next Media CEO Cheung Kim Hung informed the court that he made a one-time donation of approximately HK$5 million to the Apple Daily Charity Foundation in 2020. Subsequently, he regularly and voluntarily participated in assisting the foundation and other charitable organizations, making additional donations totaling around HK$1.8 to 1.9 million. The court viewed these actions as demonstrating his positive good character. Based on his timely guilty plea, assistance to the prosecution, and positive good character, he received a total sentence reduction of 8 years and 3 months.
As for Deputy Publisher Chan Pui-man, who served as a director of the Apple Daily Charity Foundation and continued to assist with its affairs while working at Apple Daily, the court also recognized this as demonstrating her positive character. However, it noted that her contributions to charitable organizations were not as significant or sustained as Cheung’s. Considering her timely guilty plea, assistance in prosecution, and positive good character, she received a total reduction of 8 years.
Regarding Li Yu-hin, the court pointed out that he fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies after returning to Hong Kong from the mainland on March 22, 2021, even earlier than Wayland Chan’s initial offer to assist the prosecution. Li testified for 15 days in total. As an insider, he provided detailed and crucial evidence regarding the operations and activities of the "Resistance" and the "International Parliamentary Alliance." The court stated that based on his timely guilty plea and assistance to the prosecution, he received a sentence reduction of 7 years and 9 months. The court specifically noted that when determining the reduction, it had taken into account Li’s detention period in the mainland, but after careful consideration, it tended not to grant any further reduction on that basis.
The sentencing remarks also disclosed the family circumstances of editor-in-chief Yeung Ching-kee. After his arrest in June 2021, his wife suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage in August 2022, resulting in permanent disability. Yeung's son, at the start of his career, was forced to resign and become his mother's full-time caregiver as the only remaining family member. The court stated that based purely on humanitarian considerations and following past precedents, an additional 3-month reduction was granted for Yeung’s family hardship, meaning Yeung received a total reduction of 7 years and 9 months.
As for Law Wai Kwong, Lam Man Chung, and Fung Wai Kwong, the court pointed out that they did not testify or assist the prosecution. They could only receive the customary one-third basic sentence reduction for a timely guilty plea. Therefore, each of their sentences was reduced from 15 years to 10 years, which is already the minimum penalty stipulated by law.
The judgment also mentioned that although Law voluntarily served as a director of the "Apple Daily Charity Fund," since this does not fall within the scope of Article 33, no additional discount could be given for this mitigating factor.
Observers noted that Cheung Kim Hung and the other four pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution, while Fung Wai Kwong and the others only pleaded guilty without serving as accomplice witnesses. The difference is significant. In fact, the disparity in sentences is not merely reflected in the numbers in the judgment.
According to the amendments made by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to the Release of Prisoners on License Ordinance and its regulations, if a prisoner is serving a sentence for being convicted of an offense endangering national security, the Commissioner of Correctional Services shall not refer the prisoner's case to the Release of Prisoners on License Board for consideration unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the early release of the prisoner will not be prejudicial to national security.
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance also amended the Prison Rules, stipulating that if a prisoner is serving a sentence for being convicted of an offense endangering national security, the prisoner shall not be granted remission of sentence under those rules unless the Commissioner of Correctional Services is satisfied that granting remission to the prisoner will not be prejudicial to national security.
In other words, after the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect, it will be very difficult for Law Wai Kwong, Lam Man Chung, and Fung Wai Kwong to obtain early release. They are highly likely to serve the full 10-year sentence.
As for accomplice witnesses receiving further discretionary reductions after serving their sentences, there is precedent. In the “35+ Subversion Case,” Andrew Chiu Ka- Yin received a substantial sentence reduction for pleading guilty early, serving as an accomplice witness, and testifying against other defendants. Later, due to good behavior in prison and genuine remorse, after deducting statutory remission, he was released over two years early in October last year.
Following Andrew Chiu's precedent, if Cheung Kim Hung and others demonstrate good behavior and remorse in prison, they may be eligible for early release. In contrast, Law Wai Kwong, Lam Man Chung, and Fung Wai Kwong will find it very difficult to obtain early release. When everything is added up, they might end up serving around five more years in prison than the accomplice witnesses.
Ariel
** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **
Ta Kung Pao recently published a series of commentaries under the byline "Gong Zhiping" over three consecutive days. The series, titled "Safeguarding Hong Kong's High-Quality Development with High-Level Security," was reposted on the website of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) for three days running, drawing public attention.
The Ta Kung Pao articles point out that, at present, the HKSAR Government and all sectors of society are more clear-eyed, more conscious and more resolute in coordinating development and security, and in safeguarding the new development paradigm with a new security architecture.
Chief Executive John Lee has led the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial authorities in firmly discharging the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, continuously consolidating the bedrock of high-level security for high-quality development.
Under the protection of security, Hong Kong's development momentum is growing ever stronger and its pace ever faster. Security has become an advantage for Hong Kong's development. The full text of the article follows:
Hong Kong's journey from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, proclaims a simple truth: only with security every step of the way has there been development every step of the way. Security is not a "tightening spell," the incantation in Journey to the West that constricts the Monkey King's headband. It is a "protective talisman" and a "booster." Security not only provides the most solid foundation for development, it also creates new dividends for development.
Today, the HKSAR Government and all sectors of society are more clear-eyed, more conscious and more resolute in coordinating development and security, and in safeguarding the new development paradigm with a new security architecture.
Chief Executive John Lee has led the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial authorities in firmly discharging the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security. In doing so, they continuously consolidate the bedrock of high-level security for high-quality development.
The SAR made history in completing the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council and, together with the Hong Kong National Security Law, has built a solid shield for safeguarding national security in the SAR. The principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" has been fully implemented, and the power of governance in the SAR remains firmly in the hands of patriots.
The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR has earnestly shouldered its principal responsibility for safeguarding national security and strengthened overall coordination. The SAR's law enforcement, prosecution and judicial departments have been fearless and faithful to their duties, cracking down on acts endangering national security in accordance with the law.
The many patriotic groups and individuals who love the country and Hong Kong have carried forward their fine traditions, waging a resolute struggle against words and deeds that undermine, vilify and disrupt Hong Kong. When hostile forces at home and abroad launch attacks and smears in the arena of public opinion, the SAR Government responds with timely and forceful exposure, criticism and rebuttal.
As for the anti-China elements bent on disrupting Hong Kong who fled overseas and continued to flagrantly violate the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force has lawfully placed them on the wanted list. Measures have been applied against them as specified absconders.
The SAR Government and all sectors of society have also worked hard to advance national security education. They have held the "April 15 National Security Education Day" events year after year, opened a permanent National Security Exhibition Gallery, and brought national security education into schools, communities and the grassroots. Particular emphasis goes to strengthening such education for young people.
Hong Kong's legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security have been continuously improved, and its capabilities continuously strengthened. The truth that "only when the nation is secure can Hong Kong be secure, and only when the nation is secure can our homes be secure" has taken deep root in people's hearts. The whole of society has formed a mighty collective force for safeguarding national security.
Today, under the protection of security, Hong Kong's development momentum is getting better and better, and its pace faster and faster.
A few examples suffice to give a glimpse. In 2025, Hong Kong retained its ranking as the world's freest economy, held firm as the world's third-ranked international financial center, and rose to fourth globally in talent competitiveness. In 2026, Hong Kong became the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management center and ranked second globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. The economy grew 5.9% in the first quarter of 2026, and the SAR Government recently raised Hong Kong's full-year growth forecast from the previously projected 2.5%-3.5% to 3.5%-4.5%.
More encouraging still, Hong Kong is now working at full throttle on the SAR's first-ever five-year plan, painting a bright blueprint for the city's future development. The SAR Government and all sectors of society are earnestly implementing the spirit of President Xi Jinping's important instructions and proactively aligning with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. They are upholding and refining the executive-led system, better combining a proactive government with an efficient market, and actively recognizing change, adapting to change and seeking change.
This amounts to forward-looking, science-based and systematic planning for Hong Kong's high-quality development in the new stage.
Strong consensus has been forged, and forceful measures proposed, on a range of priorities. These include highlighting the Northern Metropolis as a key focus, using the university town as a lever to drive the integrated development of education, technology and talent, and consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade center.
The priority list also includes accelerating the building of an international innovation and technology hub, creating a magnet for high-caliber global talent, and improving people's livelihoods across the board, in particular resolving the housing problem and bidding farewell to subdivided flats and "cage homes."
Hong Kong's development direction is now clearer, and its bright prospects more distinct.
Today, the international community and global investors increasingly agree that Hong Kong is a "safe harbor," and that a "safe harbor" is a "harbor of development." Security has become an advantage for Hong Kong's development. All objective and rational observers can see it plainly: Hong Kong safeguards national security so that the city can develop better, so that its residents can live better lives, and so that investors' lawful rights and interests can be better protected.
Overseas investors have repeatedly said that Hong Kong's safeguarding of national security has injected strong stability, certainty and sustainability into the market. A stream of international mega-events has been held in Hong Kong one after another. Friends from all over the world have come to the city to take part, casting a vote of confidence in Hong Kong.
In 2025, more than 2,700 single family offices were established in Hong Kong, over half of them with assets under management exceeding US$50 million. The number of companies in Hong Kong with parent companies located overseas or in the Chinese Mainland surpassed 11,000, a record high. Also in 2025, more than 31,000 foreign nationals were granted employment visas to work in Hong Kong, more than double the figure of five years ago.
Hong Kong now stands at a new starting point, ushering in its best period of development. The loftier the development goals and the brighter the vision, the less we can afford to slacken the taut string of security.
We must firmly establish the principle that development is an ironclad truth, and that security is no less so. We must do well in both pursuing high-quality development, the foremost task, and safeguarding national security, the matter of paramount importance.
By truly safeguarding high-quality development with high-level security, Hong Kong will surely stride steadily and surely along the broad road from order to prosperity. The city will shine with even greater splendor on the great journey of building a strong nation and realizing national rejuvenation.
