The Chinese government has issued a sharp rebuke to Western nations following international criticism regarding the legal outcome of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The alliance, which previously organized annual vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, saw its former leaders convicted on charges of inciting subversion.

During a regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian addressed the international backlash. He characterized the criticism from "certain countries and organizations" as an unacceptable interference in China’s internal affairs. According to Beijing, these external actors are using the judicial verdict as a pretext to smear Hong Kong’s reputation and denigrate the city’s rule of law.

While the SCMP report highlights Beijing's stance that the trial was a legitimate exercise of local judicial authority, it notes that Western governments view the convictions as part of a broader crackdown on civil liberties and political dissent in Hong Kong. The report emphasizes the tension between Beijing's insistence on sovereignty and the international community's concerns regarding the erosion of democratic processes in the territory. The Chinese government maintains that the legal system in Hong Kong remains independent and that the convictions were based strictly on the evidence presented in court, rejecting any suggestion that the proceedings were politically motivated.