Former US President Donald Trump has made a direct public appeal to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, urging him to release imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai. The appeal follows Lai's conviction on Monday in a high-profile national security trial, where the 78-year-old was found guilty on all three charges against him.
A Personal Appeal from Trump
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump expressed his personal concern for Lai's welfare, stating he felt "so badly" about the conviction. He confirmed he had raised the issue directly with President Xi, though he did not specify when this conversation took place. "I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked him to consider his release," Trump said. "He's an older man, and he's not well. So I did put that request out. We'll see what happens."
Trump had previously indicated his desire to secure Lai's freedom before returning to the White House. The two leaders are believed to have discussed the case during a meeting in South Korea in October. Lai, a British citizen and devout Catholic, founded the now-defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily. His case has garnered significant support in the US from a coalition advocating for democracy, press freedom, and Christian rights—a key constituency for Trump.
Global Condemnation and Health Concerns
The verdict has drawn condemnation from governments, institutions, and human rights groups worldwide. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio swiftly responded on social media platform X, arguing the conviction demonstrates China's intent to "silence those who seek to protect freedom of speech and other fundamental rights." He pointed to China's promises to uphold Hong Kong's separate system prior to the 1997 handover from Britain.
Rubio also highlighted grave concerns over Lai's deteriorating health, noting the businessman has already spent more than 1,800 days in prison since his arrest in late 2020. "Reports indicate that Mr Lai's health has severely deteriorated," Rubio stated. "We urge the authorities to bring this ordeal to an end as soon as possible and to release Mr Lai on humanitarian grounds." Lai is known to suffer from diabetes.
Family Plea and Broader Crackdown
Following the conviction, Lai's daughter, Claire Lai, made an emotional appeal for his release. Speaking to the Associated Press, she assured that her father would renounce political activism if freed. "He just wants to reunite with his family," she said. "He wants to dedicate his life to serving our Lord, and he wants to dedicate the rest of his days to his family. My father is fundamentally not a man who operates on illegal ground."
The trial and conviction of Jimmy Lai are viewed as a central part of a sweeping crackdown by Chinese authorities in Hong Kong. This action followed the mass pro-democracy protests that engulfed the city in 2019. With Monday's guilty verdict, the 78-year-old faces the stark possibility of spending the remainder of his life behind bars.
