Jimmy Lai wanted US to impose ‘draconian’ sanctions to stop Hong Kong’s security law

Court hears ex-media boss thought sanctions were ‘only possibility’ to halt law, but he was adamant about staying in city ‘to face’ aftermath

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Jimmy Lai is expected to explain his financial dealings with a lobbying group and its core members when the trial resumes on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:51pm, 29 Nov 2024

Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has admitted he wanted the US to impose “draconian” sanctions to compel Beijing to reconsider imposing the national security law on Hong Kong, while maintaining the “fight for freedom” should persist without regard to personal safety.

Lai, 77, also denied on Friday that he ever told a paralegal involved in international lobbying to continue his work after the security legislation took effect in June 2020, adding it would be “totally ridiculous” to appeal for sanctions after such acts were outlawed.

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid newspaper said he had wished for then US president Donald Trump to take more “serious”, “damaging” and “draconian” actions against Beijing because the issue was “pressing”.

“That’s the only possibility,” Lai told West Kowloon Court. “[Only through] sanctions ... the Chinese [government] would reconsider the national security law.”

He also agreed with evidence previously heard in his high-profile trial that he initially believed the new law would be “all bark and no bite”, because Beijing would not have wanted to “destroy” Hong Kong by introducing strict measures to suppress dissent.

The court previously heard Lai had said in a text message dated May 2020 that personal safety should not be a concern despite the looming national security law.