China asserts role in Hong Kong security in new white paper amid Jimmy Lai sentencing

China has released a new white paper reaffirming its central role in safeguarding Hong Kong’s national security.

The release came one day after a Hong Kong court sentenced veteran media figure and prominent China critic, Jimmy Lai (黎智英), to 20 years in prison.

Lai was convicted in a landmark case of foreign collusion under the National Security Law, imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing in 2020.

The white paper, issued on 10 February 2026 by China’s State Council, is titled “Hong Kong: New Practices in Safeguarding National Security”.

It emphasises Beijing’s “fundamental responsibility” in ensuring national security in the territory. It frames Hong Kong as an increasingly stable region amid global uncertainty.

The document asserts that Hong Kong will “continue to improve its legal system” and deepen enforcement mechanisms to uphold national security.

It declares, “Hong Kong, enjoying high-standard security, is bound to overcome all risks and challenges on the journey forward, and remain as steady as a rock in a turbulent world.”

The timing of the release appears closely linked to the outcome of Lai’s trial.

His sentencing marks the harshest penalty handed down under the National Security Law since its introduction.

According to the white paper, the law has “neutralised this major threat” and “restored order” following the 2019 mass protests that gripped the city.

It further claims the policy has strengthened the “one country, two systems” framework and helped to enrich China’s broader national security apparatus.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) endorsed the white paper and the outcome of Lai’s case.

He stated that authorities “must remain vigilant against national security risks”, adding that the sentence delivered “a solemn warning against malicious plots of collusion with external elements.”

Beijing has consistently framed the 2019 protests and subsequent dissent as foreign-backed unrest.

Since 2020, the National Security Law has been used to detain or silence dozens of activists, lawmakers, journalists and civil society leaders.

Rights groups and multiple governments, however, view the law as a blunt instrument to suppress free expression and dismantle the pro-democracy movement.

Lai’s sentence sparked immediate international criticism, with statements issued by Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and various human rights organisations.

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch called the sentence “an outrageous abuse of legal power” intended to silence dissent.

Meanwhile, the white paper argues that security measures have been effective and necessary for long-term stability.

It describes the law as a “legal shield” that defends the city from internal and external threats.

The current document is the latest in a series of white papers issued by Beijing on Hong Kong policy.

The previous white paper, in 2021, focused on Hong Kong’s electoral reforms. It praised the implementation of a “patriots-only” framework for public office, which has since been widely criticised for marginalising opposition voices.

Analysts suggest that the 2026 paper seeks to further legitimise China’s expanding control over the territory’s governance and legal framework.

The release also underscores the central government’s unwavering view that security comes before liberal democratic ideals in Hong Kong’s political evolution.