An "open dialogue" with China has raised hopes for the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai, according to Communities Secretary Steve Reed. The 78-year-old pro-democracy activist has been detained in Hong Kong under the territory's national security law since 2020.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raised Mr Lai's case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing this week. Mr Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has been in solitary confinement for more than five years.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Reed said: "We all want to see Jimmy Lai released. The fact that there is now an open dialogue with China, the fact that the Prime Minister raised it directly with President Xi, means that there's an open channel that I hope will lead to that." He added that releases do not happen immediately but the Government will "keep using" this channel.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs had urged the Prime Minister to raise the case, warning that a lengthy sentence could be a "de facto death sentence" given Mr Lai's age and declining health. Lord Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said it would have been "pathetic" not to raise the matter.
However, shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticised Sir Keir's trip, claiming he returned "empty-handed". While welcoming the lifting of Chinese sanctions on British MPs as a small step, Mr Philp said it did not address concerns over Chinese espionage activities.
