Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have issued a unified condemnation of the conviction of prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher and activist Jimmy Lai. The statement, released on December 17, 2025, underscores growing international concern over judicial proceedings in Hong Kong.
International Outcry Over Judicial Process
The G7 ministers, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the High Representative of the European Union, expressed grave alarm regarding Lai's case. They highlighted their view that the charges and subsequent conviction appear to be politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent and critical voices in Hong Kong. The ministers emphasized that the legal actions against Lai and other activists contravene international obligations concerning human rights and the rule of law.
Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has been a central figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement for decades. His trial, which has drawn global scrutiny, concluded recently with a guilty verdict on charges widely criticized by Western democracies as being rooted in Beijing's national security crackdown.
Canada's Stance and Global Implications
As a member of the G7, Canada has aligned itself firmly with this collective diplomatic rebuke. The Canadian government has consistently voiced support for human rights and judicial independence in Hong Kong, referencing the Sino-British Joint Declaration which guaranteed the territory's freedoms for 50 years after its 1997 handover from Britain to China.
The joint statement from the G7 foreign ministers calls for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai and all individuals detained or charged for exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms. It also urges Chinese authorities and the Hong Kong government to uphold their international legal commitments and restore confidence in Hong Kong's judicial autonomy.
Context and Ongoing Scrutiny
This condemnation adds to a series of diplomatic tensions between Western nations and China over the governance of Hong Kong. Since the implementation of a sweeping national security law in 2020, numerous activists, lawmakers, and journalists have been arrested, fundamentally altering the city's political landscape.
The G7's unified position signals a continued commitment to holding China accountable on the world stage for developments in Hong Kong. The statement concludes by reaffirming the group's solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and their enduring right to freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press.
