Jimmy Lai Testifies for the First Time, Denies Requesting Foreign Sanctions Against China and Hong Kong

On August 11, 2020, Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai, was escorted by police to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club to collect evidence. (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

[People News] Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon and founder of Next Digital, who has been detained by the Hong Kong government for nearly four years, testified in court for the first time on Wednesday (November 20). He denied ever attempting to influence foreign countries' diplomatic policies toward China and Hong Kong. Lai stated that the now-defunct Apple Daily represented Hong Kong's core values: respect for the rule of law, democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly.

According to Voice of America, the 76-year-old Lai, who holds dual citizenship in the UK and Hong Kong, faces charges under Hong Kong's National Security Law, including "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "conspiracy to print seditious publications" alongside Apple Daily and three affiliated companies. His legal battle has dragged on for three years since his arrest, with the trial officially commencing in December last year.

Lai is one of the most prominent figures arrested under the National Security Law implemented in 2020. His testimony drew significant attention. His court appearance coincided with another National Security Law case, in which 45 pro-democracy activists were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to ten years, prompting criticism from countries including the United States and Australia.

Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wearing a gray suit, Lai entered the courtroom accompanied by four correctional officers. He waved to the public gallery and appeared to be in decent health.

Earlier this year, prosecutors accused Lai and others of requesting foreign governments or organizations—particularly the United States—to impose sanctions, blockades, or other hostile actions against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Chinese government.

One cited example of alleged collusion involved Lai meeting with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July 2019 to discuss the escalating political crisis in Hong Kong amid widespread pro-democracy protests.

In court on Wednesday, Lai denied ever making specific requests to Pence, stating, "That is beyond my capacity."

"I wouldn’t dare ask the Vice President to do anything. I simply told him what was happening in Hong Kong when he asked," Lai explained.

Lai explained in court that his discussions with Mike Pompeo were not requests for action but rather suggestions for statements "to express support for Hong Kong."

Regarding his connections with Taiwanese political figures, Lai shared that he attempted to introduce former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz and former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jack Keane to then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen through a contributor to Taiwan’s Next Magazine.

"President Tsai and I are friends, and we often discussed U.S. policy," Lai told the court. He elaborated that he aimed to establish informal channels between Taiwan and the U.S. to enhance mutual understanding between then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and Tsai’s government.

Lai expressed his desire to assist Taiwan because, "Taiwan is the only place in history where Chinese society has enjoyed democracy."

Emphasizing Freedom and Apple Daily's Mission

In West Kowloon Court, Lai stated that he founded Apple Daily on the core values of "the rule of law, freedom, democracy, freedom of speech, religion, and assembly," which he said represent the values of Hong Kong people. Lai emphasized that he hoped Hongkongers could enjoy freedom by having access to more information, asserting that "the more you know, the freer you are."

Apple Daily was forced to cease operations in 2021 after a police raid and the arrests of senior executives.

When asked by his defense lawyer, Lai added that he is not an advocate of Hong Kong independence, calling the idea "too crazy," nor does he support Taiwanese independence.

Outside the courtroom, around 100 people lined up under umbrellas in heavy rain to attend the hearing, with hundreds of police officers deployed around the area.

Despite the downpour, an 80-year-old man, Mr. Liu, told AFP: "Jimmy Lai is very wealthy and could have left at any time, but he stayed out of a sense of responsibility. That is admirable."

A 64-year-old retiree, Mr. Wong, told Reuters: "Apple Daily was the voice of many Hongkongers. This is my way of expressing my political stance and letting him (Lai) know I support him. He has done so much for Hong Kong."

Diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Switzerland, and Ireland attended the hearing.

The U.S. and UK governments, along with a group of human rights experts, have called for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai.

If convicted, the 76-year-old pro-democracy figure could face a life sentence, potentially becoming a significant point of contention between a new Trump administration and the Chinese government.

When asked last month in a podcast interview if he would work to secure Lai’s release if re-elected, Donald Trump responded: "Absolutely."

"I would get him out. This is very easy to handle," Trump stated.