U.S. Vice President Mike Pence described the arrest as offensive. Pence tweeted that the arrest of Jimmy Lai was "an affront to freedom-loving people around the world. He recalled his meeting with Lai at the White House and said he was encouraged by his insistence on democracy, rights and Beijing's commitment to giving Hong Kong people autonomy. And he said, "The United States will continue to stand with Jimmy Lai and all freedom-loving people of Hong Kong. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the arrests proved that the Chinese government had "deprived" Hong Kong of its freedom. Pompeo tweeted, "I am deeply troubled by reports that Hong Kong arrested Jimmy Lai under the draconian national security law.", "Further proof that the Chinese Communist Party has already deprived Hong Kong of its freedoms and eroded the rights of its people. In a tweet, Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott criticized the Chinese Communist Party for continuing to silence and intimidate those who speak out for democracy and human rights, adding that the Hong Kong national security law is a tool that directly infringes on Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy. Others Lead spokesperson for the external affairs of European Union Peter Stano and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell released statements respectively, saying the latest actions were worrying. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for the review of the National Security Law by Hong Kong authorities. Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshihide Suga express his deep concern to the arrest of Lai and Agnes Chow. Committee to Protect Journalists said the arrest of Lai was a proof of the suppressed press freedom in Hong Kong. World Association of Newspapers and World Editors Forum strongly protested the arrest of Jimmy Lai, worrying such could worsen the self-censorship and suppress critical news report in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The arrest of Apple Daily'''s publisher is an assault against Hong Kong's citizens' freedoms. – WAN-IFRA|url=https://www.wan-ifra.org/press-releases/2020/08/10/the-arrest-of-apple-dailys-publisher-is-an-assault-against-hong-kongs-citi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625064753/https://wan-ifra.org/2020/08/the-arrest-of-apple-dailys-publisher-is-an-assault-against-hong-kongs-citizens-freedoms/|archive-date=25 June 2021|work=wan-ifra.org|date=10 August 2020 |access-date=11 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Secretary-general Christophe Deloire of Reporters Without Borders protested Hong Kong Police's decision to arrest Jimmy Lai, stating the charge of colluding foreign forces on Lai was an attempt to outlaw the symbol of press freedom, and urged the Hong Kong Government to drop all charges and immediately release the arrested. International Federation of Journalists was shocked about the arrest of Jimmy Lai. IFJ said Lai should be released immediately and