What is the national security law?published at 03:26 GMT
Here’s a recap of the Beijing-imposed national security law under which Lai has been convicted.
Created in response to the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the controversial law made a wider range of dissenting acts illegal while also reducing the city’s autonomy in several ways.
It criminalises anything considered as secession, which is breaking away from China; subversion, which is undermining the power or authority of the central government; terrorism, which is using violence or intimidation against people; and collusion with foreign or external forces.
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities argue the law is necessary to maintain stability, but critics say it has quelled dissent and created a climate of fear in the city.
In March 2024, Hong Kong lawmakers passed another sweeping security legislation known as Article 23, which covers treason, sedition, state secrets, and allows for trials to be held behind closed doors.
Read more about the national security law here.
