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Mark Magnier

Britain’s government on Monday summoned China’s ambassador to the UK to protest the conviction of British citizen Jimmy Lai Chee-ying on national security charges in Hong Kong, while US President Donald Trump said he urged leniency for Lai in a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I feel so badly. I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked to consider his release,” Trump told reporters, without specifying exactly when he spoke with Xi. “He is an older man, and he is not well. So I did put that request out. We’ll see what happens.”
London and Washington have watched the case closely.
In an address to Parliament, Britain’s top envoy said her government expressed its displeasure at the conviction to the Chinese embassy in London.
“On my instruction, the Foreign Office has today summoned the Chinese ambassador to underline our position in the strongest terms,” Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper told the UK legislature.


Lai, age 78, who has been held in custody since December 2020, faces a minimum jail sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment in the event the court finds that his culpability matches that of a “principal offender” under the Beijing-decreed statute.
In a post on social media, the UK Foreign Office added: “Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression,” it said. “We continue to call for Mr Lai’s immediate release.”
The court will hear arguments starting January 12 from Lai and eight other co-defendants, including six former Apple Daily senior executives who pleaded guilty before the trial, on why they should receive a lighter sentence or reduced charges.
The Chinese embassy in London could not be reached for comment. The Chinese embassy in Washington said Lai has undermined Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, challenged “one country, two systems” and endangered national security.
“The relevant judicial cases are purely internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,” added embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu. “His illegal actions constitute crimes in any country and should be severely punished by law.”
Hong Kong’s High Court found the former media boss guilty on all counts in his national security trial on Monday, ruling that he had used his tabloid newspaper and global connections to push for foreign intervention and sanctions against the local and central governments.
The 855-page ruling, handed down by a panel of three judges after 156 days of hearings, concluded that Lai masterminded three conspiracies to instigate international sanctions and hostile activities against Hong Kong and mainland China, and to print seditious articles through his now-defunct Apple Daily.
The judges, who were hand-picked by the city’s leader to adjudicate national security cases, found Lai guilty on two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and a third on conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles, an offence under local legislation.
The media companies responsible for the newspaper’s print and digital operations, Apple Daily Ltd, Apple Daily Printing Ltd and AD Internet Ltd, were also convicted of the two collusion offences.


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China-EU relations

Trump urges Xi to show leniency for Jimmy Lai as Britain summons China’s ambassador

Police officers keep watch as a van transporting media tycoon Jimmy Lai leaves the West Kowloon court on Monday in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial

In this courtroom sketch, Jimmy Lai sits flanked by prison guards on Monday. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

A prison vehicle brings Jimmy Lai to court on Monday. Photo: Karma Lo

Jimmy Lai harboured “deep resentment and hatred” towards the Communist Party, the court found. Photo: AFP

(From left) Teresa Li and Augustin Lai arrive at West Kowloon Court with Cardinal Joseph Zen. Photo: Sam Tsang

Representatives of various consulates arrive at the court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai found guilty on all charges in national security trial

A Correctional Services Department vehicle carrying Jimmy Lai is escorted by police to the court. Photo: Karma Lo

A Correctional Services Department vehicle carrying Jimmy Lai leaves West Kowloon Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jimmy Lai’s trial spanned 156 days, with 52 days dedicated to his testimony. Photo: AP

Steve Li delivers a briefing. Photo: Karma Lo

Members of the public enter the court. Photo: Sam Tsang 

Emily Lau. Photo: Karma Lo 

Retired Cardinal Joseph Zen (left), Lai’s wife Teresa Lai (centre) and son Augustin Lai (right). Photo: Karma Lo 

Anti-riot armoured vehicle known as a “sabre-toothed tiger” is seen positioned outside the building. Photo: Karma Lo

Police stop and search vehicles passing through Tung Chau Street outside West Kowloon Court. Photo: Karma Lo

Matthias Kaufman waits outside the court. Photo: Sam Tsang 

Western diplomats arrive at the court. Photo: Sam Tsang 

Media representatives wait outside West Kowloon Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Media representatives and members of the public queue outside the court ahead of the hearing. Photo: Sam Tsang 

Retiree surnamed Lam is among dozens queuing outside court. Photo: Connor Mycroft

A retiree waits to hear Jimmy Lai’s fate. Photo: Connor Mycroft

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai used personal ties to seek foreign sanctions: court ruling

Jimmy Lai holds talks with then US vice-president Mike Pence in the White House in 2019. Photo: Handout

Jimmy Lai met former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Martin Lee (second from right) in 2019. Photo: Handout

Jimmy Lai’s ‘rabid hatred’ of party led him down ‘thorny path’: Hong Kong court

Former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai was found guilty of three counts of national security offences. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Jimmy Lai launched the Apple Daily newspaper in 1995. Photo: SCMP

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US president says he asked Chinese leader to consider freeing Lai, describing the jailed media executive as ‘an older man’ who is ‘not well’


US president says he asked Chinese leader to consider freeing Lai, describing the jailed media executive as ‘an older man’ who is ‘not well’.


Trump urges Xi to show leniency for Jimmy Lai as Britain summons China’s ambassador

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}US president says he asked Chinese leader to consider freeing Lai, describing the jailed media executive as ‘an older man’ who is ‘not well’

US president says he asked Chinese leader to consider freeing Lai, describing the jailed media executive as ‘an older man’ who is ‘not well’