Chief Executive John Lee said a guilty verdict for Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai upheld legal justice and safeguarded Hong Kong’s core values.

Lai was convicted of three national security-related charges by the High Court on Monday.

“Jimmy Lai used Apple Daily to wantonly create social conflicts, incite social antagonism, incite hatred and glorify violence over a long period of time,” Lee said at the airport before departing on a duty visit to Beijing.

“He openly begged for foreign sanctions against China and the Hong Kong SAR, attracting external interference.

“Jimmy Lai harmed the fundamental interests of the country and the well-being of the people of Hong Kong; his actions are shameful and his intentions malicious.”

In a statement, a government spokesman dismissed claims that Lai had not received proper medical care or been allowed religious services while in custody, saying arrangements made for him were no different from those for other inmates.

The spokesman noted that Lai’s counsel had told the court that Lai was receiving daily medical examinations and had made no complaints about the medical services provided in correctional institutions.

The spokesman added that Lai’s case had been exploited by hostile external forces to smear and attack the SAR government and incite public hatred.

He said fugitives and wanted persons who fled overseas continued to engage in activities that endanger national security, which showed that Hong Kong still faces national security risks and cannot let its guard down.

The spokesman said the government would continue to enhance legal systems and enforcement mechanisms to address the ever-changing national security situation.

In a separate statement, non-official members of the Executive Council also welcomed the court’s ruling, saying Lai’s conviction showed legal justice and upheld Hong Kong’s core values.

They pledged to continue to support the SAR government in fulfilling its responsibility to safeguard national security and to prevent and punish acts that endanger it.