Advertisement
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai ordered staff to publish ‘pro-resistance’ articles on now-closed Apple Daily newspaper’s website to boost US readership, former publisher tells court
- Cheung Kim-hung says Lai was ‘desperate’ to launch English language Apple Daily as Beijing prepared to impose national security law on city in 2020
- He alleged Lai hoped the English version would ‘allow American readers to become the lever between Apple Daily and politics’
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying told staff at his now-closed Apple Daily tabloid to translate and publish “pro-resistance” and “anti-establishment” articles on its English platform to boost US readership, a former employee has said.
Advertisement
Cheung Kim-hung, the ex-publisher of the tabloid, said his former boss was “desperate” to launch the English digital edition in May 2020, as Beijing was drawing up a national security law for Hong Kong in the wake of anti-government protests a year before.
“He said that if overseas readers could support Hong Kong through subscriptions, it would be a great help to Apple Daily,” Cheung said on the 12th day of the national security trial at West Kowloon Court.
“He hoped Apple Daily English would turn to the US and allow the American readers to become the lever between Apple Daily and politics.”
Lai, 76, denies two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications, brought under colonial-era legislation.
Advertisement