Huang Zhiying should be grateful that his sentence was lighter than that imposed on Jimmy Lai. On November 5, the High Court of Hong Kong delivered its verdict in Huang’s case, sentencing him to 10 years in prison on charges of “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security.” Just last month, Huang turned 30. With the new sentence factored in and without consideration for possible reductions, he will be well past 40 by the time he is released. Compared to Jimmy Lai’s 20-year term, Huang has reason to feel fortunate.
Of course, why did Lai receive a 20-year sentence while Huang was given a total of 4 years and 8 months plus an additional 10 years? This reflects the court’s thorough assessment of the evidence, the accused’s role, the scale of the offenses, and their attitude toward the charges—all within the framework of the law. Lai was the mastermind and financial backer behind the anti-Hong Kong unrest movement, having long incited widespread hatred and provoked social instability. He maintained sustained contact with overseas politicians, seeking external intervention and sanctions. During the trial, Lai consistently refused to plead guilty and engaged in aggressive legal defense, demonstrating a notably defiant posture.
Huang’s primary period of criminal activity occurred over a span of just four months—from July to November 2020—significantly shorter than Lai’s prolonged involvement. As a key implementer within the anti-Hong Kong faction, Huang’s actions mainly involved overseas lobbying and submitting open letters to seek sanctions, lacking the financial support and media-based incitement seen in Lai’s case. Unlike Lai, Huang chose to plead guilty during the trial, and the court may have taken this cooperation into account when determining the sentence.
Foreign media reported that upon hearing the 10-year prison sentence, Huang lowered his head calmly. Perhaps there was a flicker of resignation—aware that no one could save him, and that his fate had now been determined by justice. His youth, and the remainder of his life, will be spent behind bars until the end of his sentence. As for Lai, whether he will survive to serve out his full 20-year term remains highly uncertain.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880991831637059/
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