Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from a cross-party coalition of parliamentarians to secure the immediate release of British citizen Jimmy Lai during his diplomatic mission to China. The 78-year-old media proprietor and pro-democracy activist has been detained in Hong Kong for over five years, with MPs warning his continued imprisonment amounts to a "de facto death sentence" given his age and deteriorating health.
Urgent Parliamentary Appeal
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs has issued a direct appeal to Sir Keir, urging him to make Mr Lai's freedom a non-negotiable condition of his visit. In a letter delivered to the Prime Minister during his trip, the group emphasised the critical nature of the situation, stating they hoped "one of the conditions of your visit is that you will be bringing Jimmy Lai home with you."
Grave Concerns Over Health and Treatment
The parliamentary group expressed profound alarm about Mr Lai's welfare, highlighting that he has endured more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement since his arrest in 2020 under Hong Kong's controversial national security law. They described his conviction as "unsound and politically motivated," warning that any lengthy custodial sentence would effectively be a death sentence for the elderly detainee.
"His health is rapidly deteriorating and his life is now at risk," the letter stated, noting that Mr Lai's declining condition has been exacerbated by poor treatment during his detention. The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper has become a symbolic figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, making his case particularly sensitive in UK-China relations.
Economic Diplomacy Versus Human Rights
Sir Keir's visit has primarily focused on rebuilding economic bridges with China, seeking to repair relations strained during the previous Conservative administration. The diplomatic mission has reportedly yielded significant commercial agreements, including a 30-day visa-free arrangement for British travellers to China and reduced tariffs on whisky exports.
However, the APPG cautioned that these economic gains must not come at the expense of fundamental human rights principles. They insisted that "the UK's bilateral and trading relationship with China must not be advanced without any regard for the life of a British citizen imprisoned for his defence of democratic values."
Cross-Party Consensus
The appeal carries substantial political weight, having been signed by Conservative shadow minister Alicia Kearns who chairs the group, alongside vice chairs including Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws, SNP MP Brendan O'Hara, and Labour MP Tim Roca. This unusual cross-party unity underscores the seriousness with which parliament views Mr Lai's predicament.
Prime Minister's Response
In response to mounting concerns, Sir Keir confirmed he had raised Mr Lai's detention during discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing their conversation as a "respectful discussion" that also addressed the treatment of the Uighur minority. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining open channels of communication even on contentious issues.
"We raised those issues, as you would expect," Sir Keir stated. "Part of the rationale for engagement is to make sure that we can both seize the opportunities that are available, which is what we've done, but also have a mature discussion about issues that we disagree on."
The diplomatic balancing act reflects the complex challenge facing the UK government as it seeks to strengthen economic ties with China while upholding its commitment to human rights and the protection of British citizens abroad. As Sir Keir's visit concludes, attention remains focused on whether diplomatic pressure can secure Mr Lai's release from what MPs describe as arbitrary detention.
