Hong Kong ex-publisher Jimmy Lai's sentence raises international concerns as China defends it

The sentencing of Hong Kong’s onetime media magnate Jimmy Lai is raising concerns from foreign governments and rights groups. In China and Hong Kong, authorities defended the court's decision Monday, saying it reflects the spirit of the rule of law. Lai, a 78-year-old prominent democracy advocate, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles. Foreign governments and rights groups are calling for the release of the British citizen. But China's Foreign Ministry says Lai is a Chinese citizen, and is urging other countries to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.