On Sunday, the United States called for the immediate release of Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai just before his trial in the Chinese city on national security charges that carry the possibility of a life sentence.
Jimmy Lai, aged 76, founded the now-closed Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily, known for its critical stance on Beijing and support for the significant protest movement in Hong Kong in 2019. He is charged with “collusion” with foreign forces under the broad national security law imposed by Beijing on the financial hub in 2020.
Lai’s trial is set to commence on Monday in Hong Kong, where he will be tried without a jury and has been denied the lawyer of his choice.
In a statement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the prosecution of Jimmy Lai, expressing the United States’ concern about the use of the National Security Law. The statement urged Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to respect press freedom in Hong Kong.
The spokesman highlighted that actions restricting the free flow of information and changes to the city’s electoral system have undermined Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and damaged its reputation as an international business and financial hub.
“We call on Hong Kong authorities to immediately release Jimmy Lai and all others imprisoned for defending their rights.”
The United States, Britain, the European Union, and the United Nations have all voiced concerns about Lai’s case. However, Beijing has dismissed these expressions of concern as smears and interference. It is worth noting that Jimmy Lai is a British citizen.
