Former US President Donald Trump has publicly revealed that he has asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to consider releasing Jimmy Lai, the British media tycoon recently convicted in Hong Kong. Mr Trump expressed deep personal concern over the 78-year-old's imprisonment and health.
A Personal Appeal to Beijing
Speaking to reporters on Monday 16 December 2024, Mr Trump stated, "I feel so badly. I spoke to President Xi about it and I asked to consider his release." He did not specify when the conversation took place but emphasised Lai's age and poor health as reasons for his request, concluding, "We'll see what happens."
This intervention follows a series of earlier efforts by the former president. In August, he said he had raised the case with Beijing, and during an October meeting with Mr Xi in South Korea, he reportedly urged the Chinese leader to free the British businessman. The two leaders also held a call in November, though it primarily focused on trade and Taiwan.
International Condemnation and Diplomatic Fallout
The conviction of Jimmy Lai on Monday has triggered a sharp international response. He was found guilty of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, conspiring to publish seditious articles in his now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily, and fraudulently breaching his company's office lease. Lai denied all charges.
The British government demanded his "immediate release" and summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the verdict as a "politically motivated persecution." Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel labelled the proceedings a "political show trial" and an "outrage to democracy," calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to directly raise the case with President Xi.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued the verdict demonstrated China's intent to "silence those who seek to protect freedom of speech." He urged Lai's release on humanitarian grounds, citing reports of the mogul's deteriorating health. The European Union also deplored the conviction, calling it "emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong."
China's Rejection of Foreign Pressure
Beijing has firmly rejected the international criticism. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned foreign powers against "smearing" Hong Kong's justice system and interfering in China's internal affairs. "We urge relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty, Hong Kong's rule of law," he stated.
Lai's trial has been viewed in Western capitals as a critical test of judicial independence and press freedom in Hong Kong since its handover to China in 1997. He was arrested in 2020 following Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law, aimed at quelling anti-government protests. A prominent supporter of Hong Kong's democratic movement, Lai founded the Apple Daily tabloid, which was fiercely critical of Beijing.
After a marathon trial that kept him detained for five years, Lai is due for sentencing early next year following a mitigation hearing in mid-January. His family has repeatedly voiced concerns about his severe weight loss, failing teeth, and loss of hearing and vision during his imprisonment.
