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Connor Mycroft

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its “firm support” for Hong Kong’s judicial authorities when asked whether Beijing would consider releasing jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying ahead of US President Donald Trump’s three-day state visit starting Wednesday.
“[Jimmy] Lai Chee-ying is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the riots that shook Hong Kong,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing, when asked whether Beijing would consider Lai’s release if Trump raised the issue during talks with Chinese officials.
“Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong judicial authorities in performing duties in accordance with the law.”
Guo’s remarks came a day before Trump’s much-anticipated visit to China, which had previously been delayed and is taking place at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
The summit comes amid a US-Iran ceasefire and will mark the first time a US president has visited China since 2017, when Trump travelled there during his first term.
Lai, 78, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, is serving a 20-year sentence for national security offences after being convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and to print and distribute seditious publications.

Trump earlier pledged to raise Lai’s case during his meeting with Xi.
“Jimmy Lai, he caused lots of turmoil in China,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “He tried to do the right thing. He wasn’t successful, went to jail, and people would like him out. And I’d like to see him get out too.”
Last week, more than 100 members of the US Congress sent a letter to the White House urging Trump to seek Lai’s release on humanitarian grounds.
Lai, who also holds British citizenship, has been in detention since late 2020. Both the US and Britain have called for his release.
Guo also said on Tuesday that Beijing firmly opposed unilateral sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council, after Washington targeted another batch of mainland Chinese and Hong Kong firms just days after issuing a similar round of sanctions.
On Monday, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on three individuals and nine companies – among them four in Hong Kong, four in the United Arab Emirates and one in Oman – for easing Iran’s oil shipments to China.

Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited and Hong Kong Sanmu Limited were accused of arranging sales and shipments of Iranian oil to overseas buyers. Separately, Hong Kong-based Max Honor International Trade Co Limited allegedly bought millions of barrels of Iranian oil in 2025, while Jiandi HK Limited was accused of agreeing to do the same.
The measures came just three days after Washington imposed sanctions on nine companies and individuals from mainland China and Hong Kong, accusing them of assisting Iran’s military.
“We stand firmly against illicit unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or the authorisation of the UN Security Council,” Guo said.
“We will take resolute measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses and citizens.”


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China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, defended Hong Kong’s handling of the Jimmy Lai case after being asked whether authorities would consider freeing the jailed former media tycoon. Photo: Johannes Neudecker/dpa

More than 100 members of the US Congress sent a letter to the White House urging President Trump to seek Lai’s release on humanitarian grounds. Photo: Edmond So

US President Donald Trump previously pledged to raise Jimmy Lai’s case during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Daniel Torok/White House/Planet Pix

Trump to raise Taiwan, Jimmy Lai case when he meets Xi in Beijing this week

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photo: EPA

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP

Police officers arrest Jimmy Lai at his home back in 2020. Photo: Edmond So

US sanctions 9 mainland China and Hong Kong entities over alleged Iran military links

Those targeted are accused of enabling efforts by Iran’s military to secure weapons or “raw materials with applications in Iran’s Shahed‑series unmanned aerial vehicles (pictured) and ballistic missile programme”. Photo: Handout

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Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests


Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests.


China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests

Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests