Charisse Pham

This verdict was widely expected.

The judge is saying that there is, quote, no doubt that Lai harbored his resentment and hatred of the People's Republic of China for many of his adult years.

They say he colluded with foreign forces to encourage countries to put sanctions on China and Hong Kong during the anti-government protests that crippled the city in 2019.

The judge has cited WhatsApp messages where Jimmy Lai and an aide, Mark Simon,

set up meetings with senior U.S.

officials including then-Vice President Mike Pence and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Lai now awaits sentencing.

The 78-year-old faces up to life in prison.

For NPR News, I'm Charisse Pham in Hong Kong.

Cherise Pham has more.

Hong Kong is a city in mourning.

Government officials held a moment of silence, remembering those who perished in one of the worst fires in Hong Kong's history.

Flags are flying at half-mast across the city.

The fire broke out in a massive public housing complex, home to about 4,600 people.

The complex had been under renovation.

Officials say that the fire spread so quickly because of highly flammable styrofoam boards that were placed next to windows.

The fire alarms were also not working properly, according to fire department officials.

Authorities have so far arrested nearly a dozen people who were involved in the renovations.

Some of them face charges of manslaughter.

For NPR News, I'm Charisse Pham in Hong Kong.