Government responds to HK Alliance's sentencing

The government says the sentencing of the three HK Alliance leaders has protected the core values of Hong Kong. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung's family say they will file an appeal against the ruling.

Lee Cheuk-yan's wife, Elizabeth Tang, says seven-year imprisonment is too harsh, citing her husband has been remanded since April 2021. She says Lee will challenge the sentencing in a higher court.

Chow Hang-tung's mother, meanwhile, says people should not be too upset about the result and urgers them not to be disheartened.

Speaking to the media after the sentencing, the National Security Department's Chief Superintendent of Police Steve Li says the trial was conducted in a "fair and transparent" manner. Li says he is not concerned that the case, which has attracted a great level of global attention, would damage Hong Kong's reputation.

"I think if you ask most of the people, (they would say) freedom has not been affected, including freedom of speech and freedom of association. From today's sentencing, you see how we deal with the national security law is in accordance with the rule of the law. (The sentencing) is to improve the reputation and the image of Hong Kong."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says the result of the case has safeguarded Hong Kong's core values.

In a statement, Chief Executive John Lee stresses the case is "extremely serious." Lee says the case also shows individuals who intends to incite subversion and endanger national security will be punished.