U.S. Urges China to Reconsider Jimmy Lai’s Sentence

The United States has expressed concern over the “unjust and tragic” 20-year prison sentence handed down to Hong Kong publisher and democracy activist Jimmy Lai by a court supported by the Chinese government. Lai, who is 78, was convicted under national security laws.

Senator Marco Rubio stated, “This conviction shows the world that the Chinese government will go to extraordinary lengths to silence advocates for Hong Kong’s fundamental freedoms.” He added that the U.S. urges Chinese authorities to consider humanitarian parole for Lai.

The Chinese Communist Party’s use of Hong Kong courts in this context marks one of the most severe national security cases since the implementation of sweeping new laws after extensive protests against the Chinese government.

Mr. Lai, a billionaire who founded the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper in 1995, was a prominent voice for democracy in Hong Kong. He is among the highest-profile figures arrested under the national security law enacted in response to the protests that arose from fears of Beijing undermining Hong Kong’s promised freedoms.

The protests triggered a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent, which transformed the legal landscape in Hong Kong.

In light of the sentence, President Trump faces renewed pressure to address Lai’s case, especially with his upcoming visit to Beijing amid significant trade negotiations. Human rights activists and some lawmakers have pushed for him to speak out directly to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, warning that remaining silent could be viewed as acquiescence.

In past comments, Trump mentioned that he had requested Lai’s release from Xi, citing concerns about Lai’s health as he is aging. “He’s not feeling well. He’s an older man, and he’s not feeling well, so I made that request. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

Lai was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces, a charge brought under a law imposed by the Chinese government. The court claimed that he had used his media networks to advocate for sanctions and other antagonistic actions by foreign governments against China and Hong Kong, alleging that these actions endangered national security.

The judge labeled Lai as the “mastermind” behind the supposed conspiracy. Additionally, he was convicted of conspiring to publish seditious material. Prosecutors referred to numerous articles from the Apple Daily that they argued were designed to incite hatred toward authorities.

In response, Lai and his defense team rejected these characterizations as an attack on free expression.

According to Sebastian Lai, the son of the publisher, the 20-year sentence effectively acts as a life sentence for his father, given his age and health issues. He expressed deep concern for his father’s well-being, noting that Lai has lost significant weight during his imprisonment and suffers from several health conditions.

Despite facing years of detention, Sebastian described his father as a deeply faithful Catholic who believes he has acted rightly throughout these challenges. He also recounted that Lai had plenty of chances to flee Hong Kong before his arrest but chose to stay loyal to his cause and colleagues.

He cautioned that his father’s experience should serve as a warning to Taiwan, implying that Beijing’s assurances of autonomy for Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle were misleading, revealing the extent of mainland China’s control over Hong Kong.

Mr. Lai has already served over five years in prison for a fraud conviction and for organizing an unauthorized gathering during the protests. His defense argues that the charges against him criminalize political speech and journalism rather than presenting a legitimate national security threat, asserting that his activism constituted valid advocacy rather than criminal behavior.