The United States on Wednesday slammed the fraud conviction of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, warning the Chinese territory's human rights protections are deteriorating and its once-vibrant press "has all but disappeared."
Lai was convicted on Tuesday, the latest in a slew of cases against the former owner of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington condemned Lai's conviction on "spurious fraud charges" and warned such efforts to stifle press freedoms undermine China's international obligations to uphold the territory's high degree of autonomy and hurt its credibility as a business hub.
"We remain deeply concerned about the deterioration in protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the systematic dismantling of Hong Kong's autonomy under the National Security Law" imposed by the Chinese government (PRC), Price said in a statement.
"We urge PRC authorities to restore respect for press freedom in Hong Kong," Price said.
Lai and two former Apple Daily executives, Wong Wai-keung and Chow Tat-kuen, were accused of breaching the terms of a lease they signed with a government company for Apple Daily office space.
Lai, 74, was already behind bars over his role in huge democracy protests that swept Hong Kong three years ago. He faces an upcoming trial on national security charges where he faces up to life in prison.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Hong Kong Tycoon Jimmy Lai Pleads Not Guilty In National Security Trial US Calls For Release Of Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Ahead Of Trial Start Head Of Hong Kong Journalists Group Gets Jail Time For Obstructing Police 25,000 Aspirants For Airport Jobs Paying Rs 22,000: A Mumbai Stampede Scare 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Karnataka's 100% Quota Bill For Kannadigas In Private Firms For These Posts UGC-NET June 2024: City Slips For Exams From July 25-27 Released MCom, BBA, BCom: The Many Aspirants For Handyman's Job At Mumbai Airport Why Donald Trump Picked JD Vance As His Vice President Candidate Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.