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Hong Kong protests
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Beijing blasts ‘absurd’ tributes to Joshua Wong, other jailed Hong Kong activists after US, Britain express disgust at ‘political persecution’

  • China’s top body overseeing Hong Kong says sentences handed to Wong and others do not compensate for their crimes against the nation
  • US secretary of state said earlier that Hong Kong activists’ resistance is ‘testament to the human spirit’

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Ivan Lam and Joshua Wong were among those jailed this week, triggering a supportive statement for the defendants from the US. Photo: Winson Wong
Christy Leung

Beijing and Hong Kong officials have hit out at the United States and Britain for backing Joshua Wong Chi-fung and other opposition activists jailed this week, saying the sentences barely atone for their crimes against China.

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Voicing support also for media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the US said it was appalled at the political persecution in Hong Kong of what it described as courageous pro-democracy advocates, while British Foreign Minister, Dominic Raab, demanded an end to the stifling of opposition in the city.

Wong, Agnes Chow Ting and Ivan Lam Long-yin were imprisoned for up to 13½ months on Wednesday for their roles in a 15-hour siege of police headquarters during last year’s anti-government protests.
Agnes Chow was among the trio jailed for their role in a siege of police headquarters last June. Photo: Winson Wong
Agnes Chow was among the trio jailed for their role in a siege of police headquarters last June. Photo: Winson Wong
Lai on Thursday was denied bail after being charged with fraud because the magistrate believed he was a flight risk and could reoffend.
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The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday accused foreign countries of defaming the judiciary over its handling of Wong and his associates, and warned overseas officials to stop backing anti-China activists.

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