The national security law was passed by the elite Standing Committee of the National People s Congress in June and imposed on Hong Kong, which democracy advocates say is a violation of the treaty between China and Great Britain guaranteeing the former colony a degree of autonomy for 50 years.
The law criminalizes, in the language of the measure, advocating for Hong Kong secession, subversion against the Chinese government, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.
Lai is scheduled to next appear in court on April 16,
Apple Daily reported. It s not clear whether a trial would take place in Hong Kong or the mainland.