Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai tells court some trade embargoes ‘reasonable’
But former media boss calls China ‘bully’ for slapping duties on Australian exports during row, prompting judge to query whether same term could apply to other countries
Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has said some trade restrictions are “reasonable” but accused mainland China of “bullying” Australia by imposing duties on exports in what he saw as a retaliation against Canberra over its support for Hong Kong and its push for a probe into the Covid-19 pandemic.
A High Court judge overseeing the case questioned Lai’s basis for calling Beijing a “bully” and asked whether he would use the same characterisation had the tariffs been imposed by another country.
Lai is contesting two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications.
The 77-year-old has sought to refute accusations that he attracted sanctions and other hostile responses from the West while inciting hatred towards Beijing and Hong Kong authorities through comments made in newspaper columns, on social media and in the online commentary series “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai”.
