Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the Government. The Foreign Secretary has called for his release and has urged the authorities to end their prosecution and repeal the National Security Law. We continue to engage with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on his case and have raised our opposition to the inclusion of British nationals in the prosecution's case. We are offering support to the British nationals who have been named.

As stated by the Foreign Secretary on 14 March, the unjustifiable action taken against the UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch is clearly an attempt to silence those who stand up for human rights in Hong Kong. In parallel, our officials have raised our concerns in the strongest terms about this issue directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities in London, Hong Kong and Beijing. We also continue to make clear our wider concerns about the National Security Law and the targeting of pro-democracy activists and groups.

The Chinese Government and Hong Kong authorities must respect the universal right to freedom of speech, and uphold that right in Hong Kong in accordance with international commitments, including the Joint Declaration. Attempting to silence voices globally that speak up for freedom and democracy is unacceptable and will never succeed.