The highly watched trial of the anti-China and violence-inciting figure Jimmy Lai on national security charges is set to begin on Monday at West Kowloon Court, toward which some Western media and political figures have launched a public opinion campaign by badmouthing the city's rule of law and the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong. Legal experts said begging external forces to support Lai and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong are destined to be futile.

These instigations of the Western media, politicians and organizations openly calling for the release of Lai and criticizing the rule of law in Hong Kong are extremely dangerous and irresponsible, some experts said. While some Western politicians and media hail Lai as "an anti-government hero" and "a pro-democracy fighter," such campaign of smearing Hong Kong will also allow local residents to see clearly the true nature of Lai as a proxy for Western interests, they noted.

The Hong Kong Police Force has strengthened their presence near the courthouse, as police officers were seen moving sandbags, tents and other materials from their vehicles to the vicinity of the court, using barricades to separate the queue area for court reporters, and surrounding the exterior of the court with traffic cones, according to local media reports.

The three judges overseeing Lai's trial are Madam Justices Esther Toh Lye-ping and Susana D'Almada Remedios, and Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang, according to Hong Kong media.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung was quoted as saying in the reports that those who enter the court on Monday will be subject to X-ray inspection. The police will enhance patrols around the court and its vicinity, deploying explosive detection dogs to assist in searches.

He also mentioned that in past trials of similar cases, the so-called "court watchers" have harassed prosecution staff, created disturbances with loud noises, and provoked judicial personnel. To address behaviors that may affect the trial, the police have coordinated with the judicial institutions to conduct X-ray inspections on visitors to the court, including defendants, observers, and lawyers. Tang warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the trial or intimidate those involved in the judicial process would be met with decisive law enforcement action.

In the case of Lai, there are four defendants, including Lai himself and three companies related to secessionist Apple Daily. They face four charges, including alleged collusion with foreign forces in violation of the NSL for Hong Kong, and conspiracy to publish seditious publications under the Crimes Ordinance.

The charges related to the NSL for Hong Kong carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, while the sedition-related charges have a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.

Before the trial begins, some figures, including Lai's son, have been "making noises" to put certain pressure on the trial. For example, Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, met with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron recently, and the latter said the UK opposes the NSL for Hong Kong and will continue to stand by Jimmy Lai and the people of Hong Kong.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said, "Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the UK," which has raised his case on multiple occasions with the Chinese government, most recently when Cameron spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Guardian reported on Sunday.

A representative from the infamous Human Rights Watch also hyped that Beijing seems intent on imprisoning one of its most powerful critics for many years, referring to Lai, possibly for the rest of his life, according to the media report.

Sebastien Lai stated that Jimmy Lai became a British citizen as early as 1994, and he himself is also a British citizen, urging the UK government to pressure the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to release Jimmy Lai. But are British citizens immune to legal consequences? The rule of law demands that before the law, everyone is equal, and anyone who breaks the law must face the appropriate legal sanctions. Jimmy Lai does not have any privilege that allows him to be above the law, Willy Fu Kin-chi, director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and vice-president of the Hong Kong Basic Law Education Association, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"The British officials' blatant intervention in Jimmy Lai's case, which has entered the judicial process, attests to their support for the anti-China instigators, further exposing Jimmy Lai's collusion with foreign forces," Fu said, noting that it also further proves that the HKSAR government's prosecution of Jimmy Lai is entirely lawful, reasonable and legitimate.

The NSL for Hong Kong stipulates very strict legal procedures in terms of legislation, law enforcement, and judicial processes, Louis Chen, a member of the Election Committee and general secretary of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The provisions specifying designated judges and the absence of a jury are stipulations of the law itself and differ significantly from irresponsible Western criticisms that describe the process as a "formality" or "pre-determined," he noted.

"Previous sanctions against trial judges are essentially interference in judicial processes. However, we believe that the trial of Jimmy Lai will become a classic case in upholding national security in Hong Kong, fully reflecting the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary, the spirit of the rule of law, and the professional integrity of Hong Kong judges," Chen said.

Gansu's emergency management bureau said at a press conference on Thursday that the province's earthquake relief work has achieved a phased victory. Behind the victory is the wide use of a range of high-tech equipment to support search and rescue efforts.

Chinese Y-20 military aircraft are being used to transport large rescue vehicles, while the Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being operated to assist with emergency telecommunication support and disaster reconnaissance tasks.

Public communication networks in the affected areas has been largely restored to normal.

Global Times reporters on the scene witnessed a Y-20 aircraft carrying an emergency command group under PLA Western Theater Command to a disaster site. Military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times that the Y-20 has a large payload, long range, and a larger cargo hold, making it suitable for transporting larger rescue vehicles.

Zhang noted that setting up the emergency command group on the front line can provide a more accurate and rapid understanding of the situation on the ground, including the terrain, weather, and extent of the disaster in the affected areas, and coordinate and command rescue forces to launch targeted rescue operations on short notice.

On the afternoon of December 19, two helicopters from the PLA 76th Group Army landed on a temporary helipad at a middle school in Jishishan county, the epicenter of the earthquake, carrying out tasks such as aerial reconnaissance, material delivery, and medical evacuation.

Global Times reporters witnessed the wide use of the UAV for lighting at the temporary resettlement sites, which support to ensure all operations could be carried out in an orderly and efficient manner even in the dark.

Several hovering lights are installed in the air. These lighting UAVs are connected to the ground power supply equipment through a cable, allowing them to stay in the air for a long time and provide emergency lighting for large areas at night, making them the "brightest stars in the night sky."

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, China's tethered UAVs are relatively advanced and are being used for emergency communication.

After a major disaster, especially an earthquake, if conventional communication facilities in the affected areas are destroyed or damaged, these tethered UAVs can be used to establish an emergency communication system, overcoming signal blockage caused by tall buildings, and achieving network communication over distances of 10 to 100 kilometers or more. This enables real-time communication between the rescue site and emergency responders.

The Global Times learned that the UAVs employed in the disaster relief mission this time have a lighting range of up to 8,000 square meters. They can withstand wind speeds of up to level 7, heavy rain of up to level 10, and temperatures as low as -20 C, providing a wide range, high brightness, and uninterrupted lighting support for emergency rescue in the earthquake-stricken area.

Editor's Note:

With the onset of the cold winter weather, the "warm economy" in Yiwu is thriving. There has been a significant rise in demand for winter products from both domestic and international buyers, resulting in a surge of orders for gloves, hats, scarves, and other winter accessories. Photos: Li Hao/GT

"I am so happy to announce that I will be representing China at the World Cup. I'm really proud and honored to wear the Team China jersey," Minnesota Timberwolves forward/guard Kyle Anderson, also known by his Chinese name Li Kai'er, said in a video on Chinese social media on Monday after he officially obtained Chinese nationality.

The 29-year-old, 2.06-meter-tall basketball elite from New York has been competing in the US National Basketball Association (NBA) ever since joining the league as a first-round pick in 2014. Li has now become the first player to have ever been naturalized in China's basketball history, making him now eligible to join Team China at the upcoming FIBA World Cup that tips off on August 25.  

According to an official release from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Yao Ming, the NBA hall of famer and incumbent CBA president, has met with Anderson to mark the milestone event. 

Yao said that "the naturalization of Li Kai'er complies with Chinese laws and regulations and the relevant rules of the FIBA, and blood and cultural identity are important reasons for us to meet each other. Li will be the first naturalized player in the history of Chinese basketball. It is also an innovation for the system and exploration for us. During this process, we have received strong support from all parties. We are very grateful for that. Li is an outstanding player, and I believe him joining the team can help the Chinese men's basketball team."

Anderson has averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 68 games in 2023 for Minnesota as a playmaking forward in his ninth NBA season. He was added to the talent pool list for China's national basketball team on Monday, meaning that Anderson can now suit up and play for China immediately once recruited by the national team. 

To show his excitement, Anderson posted a photo on his Instagram account on Monday of himself wearing a red No.5 Team China jersey for the 2023 World Cup, with a message that said, "About damn time! Let's go!" 

"With the help and support of all parties in China, today I have fulfilled my will to recognize my ancestors and the greatest wish of my family!" Anderson said in a Sina Weibo post.

Anderson's great-grandfather was from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province. In 2018, Anderson and his mother Suzanne Anderson visited Xinmu New Village in Shenzhen, to seek out their roots. Their Chinese relatives welcomed them with a firecracker show, traditional cultural experiences and a huge banquet.

In video footage of the trip, Anderson described it as "one of the best times and moments" of his life. 

"It's weird to come to a place I've never been before, yet feel at home. I can't explain in words... I am so thankful and honored that these people would accept me and give me such a warm welcome," he told Shenzhen TV at the time.

During the trip, Anderson was given the Chinese name Li Kai'er by one of his elder Chinese cousins. To honor his playstyle, Chinese basketball fans have also given him the endearing nickname "Li Dachui," which means "a big hammer" that is slow in motion but effective with every strike. 

According to FIBA rules, each national team can include only one naturalized player. That player must have obtained citizenship of the adopted home country after turning 16 and never have represented his or her native country internationally. Eligibility is subject to approval by FIBA's secretary-general.

Chinese basketball insiders reached by the Global Times applauded the naturalization of Anderson, saying it marks a new beginning for Chinese basketball, and adding that Anderson brings a lot including versatility and a high basketball IQ to Team China. They noted that Anderson will boost China's chances at the 2023 World Cup, where only the best-performing Asian team wins direct qualification for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

"Li Kai'er, who made his break in the NBA when he played for Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, could be the missing piece for Team China. His ball-handling skills, game-making abilities and great understanding of team play could effectively help link Team China's strong centers and still young guards on the court," Wei Qi, a basketball commentator with the Beijing Radio and Television Network, told the Global Times on Monday. 

Wei pointed out that it has been a world trend to naturalize foreign-born players, citing US-born South Korean basketball player Ra Gun-ah for Team South Korea. Team China has now joined the trend starting with Anderson. 

His Chinese lineage, love for Chinese culture and willingness to contribute his basketball skills to Team China are the main factors that qualified him for the naturalization process. His participation will be an example of win-win cooperation, Wei noted.  

Anderson has joined a glittering cast of naturalized athletes who have chosen to suit up for China. They include California-born Olympic champion freestyle skier Gu Ailing, Canadian-born ice hockey player Brandon Yip and, most recently, Hungarian-born short-track speed skating brothers Sandor Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang. All of them have been hailed by Chinese fans. 

China’s elite diving athletes Wang Zongyuan and Chen Yuxi have secured spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after winning gold at the national diving championship on Wednesday in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province.

Over 200 divers are competing at the annual event that will last till Tuesday. An analyst told the Global Times on Thursday that the championship, which serves as one of the three-leg qualifiers for the Paris Olympic Games, will help the national team to find some new diamonds in the rough.

China’s new diving talisman, 20-year-old Wang, ranked first in each of the six rounds in the final to triumph during the 3-meter springboard while two-time Olympic medalist Chen edged out Olympic champion Quan Hongchan to win gold during the 10-meter platform.

According to the point-based qualification for the Paris Olympic Games diving events announced by the Chinese Swimming Association, there are three legs of qualifiers, namely the national diving tournament in March, the ongoing national diving championship and the World Aquatics Championships to be held in Doha, Qatar in February 2024. 

The two best rankings out of the three legs of a diver are translated into points. The top four athletes with the most points in a single event will be selected into the Olympic roster.

Wang and Chen, who also won gold at the national tournament in March, have thus secured their berths for the Olympic Games.

“The victory shows that my training and hard work have paid off. I take every competition seriously, and hopefully I can do my best in every competition. However, I was not at my best during the preliminaries and made some mistakes,” said Chen, who lost to Quan in October’s Hangzhou Asian Games. 

“While the top divers are vying for spots for the Olympics, the national event also provides an opportunity for younger talents to make their mark. Jiang Linjing is a big surprise in the highly competitive 10-meter platform,” Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Jiang Linjing, a 13-year-old diver from South China’s Guangdong Province, managed to finish third behind Olympic champions Chen and Quan.  

“They [Chen and Quan] are my idols. They were consistent in their dives and rarely make mistakes. I’m doing okay in training, but I tend to get nervous in big events,” said Jiang, who tried the 307C dive, one of the most difficult dives, for the first time in the competition. 

Eyes will be focused on the men’s 10-meter platform final on Saturday as this is the only event in which China failed to win gold at July’s World Aquatics Championship in Fukuoka, Japan. 

China swept 11 out of 12 golds on offer at the world championship and Australia’s Cassiel Rousseau upset China’s Lian Junjie and Yang Hao in a roller-coaster 10-meter platform final. 

Women’s 3-meter springboard will also take place on Saturday. 

In order to inspire athletes to innovate and take on challenging dives, the event has introduced special awards recognizing both the difficulty and groundbreaking achievements.