US President Donald Trump has said he “doesn’t feel optimistic” that jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be freed, following his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump raised Lai’s imprisonment in Hong Kong and the arrest of Pastor Jin Mingri of Zion Church in mainland China during their high-stakes talks this week.
Trump's Conversation with Xi
In an interview with Fox News, Trump explained that despite helping “hundreds of people out of different situations,” the response regarding Lai’s release “was not positive.” He recounted that Xi told him Lai’s case “is a tough one” and “has been his worst nightmare.” Trump added, “He went through a whole thing and we said we would appreciate it if you would release him, he’s gotten old and he’s probably not feeling too well. I did not feel optimistic, I’ve got to be honest with you.”
Background on Jimmy Lai
Jimmy Lai, 78, is the founder of Apple Daily, a Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper that was shut down under state pressure. In February, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on disputed collusion and sedition charges. The British citizen has denied any wrongdoing. He received the maximum sentence under Beijing’s national security law and is likely to die in prison without intervention. Since his arrest in December 2020, he has reportedly been kept in solitary confinement, with growing concerns for his deteriorating health.
In 2024, Trump pledged to secure Lai’s release but has yet to succeed. Speaking to NBC News on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We’d be open to any arrangement that would work for them, as long as he’s given his freedom.”
Family's Hope
Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, earlier this week said he “held hope” that Hong Kong would “act rationally and release my father” if Trump pressed the issue. He lauded Trump as “an incredible negotiator” and “one of the best deal makers,” adding, “That’s why we have so much hope on his visit. This is a case he genuinely, from my understanding, cares about and he’s someone who’s an incredible negotiator. So hopefully I’ll get to see my father again.”
Pastor Jin Mingri's Case
Trump also discussed the release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri of the Zion Church, about which he is more confident. Pastor Jin was detained at his home in Beihai, in China’s southeastern Guangxi province, in October last year, along with dozens of other church leaders in Beijing and at least five other provinces. They may face charges of “illegal dissemination of religious content via the internet,” according to Sean Long, a Chinese Zion Church pastor currently studying in the US.
