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Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai is a publishing tycoon known for his brash business style as well as his anti-Beijing activism, which was often reflected in his tabloid-style Apple Daily newspaper. He was a vocal participant in the Occupy Hong Kong protests of 2014 and remained a strong supporter of the anti-government protests triggered by the extradition bill. On 10 August 2020, he was arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to the collusion charges. On 10 December 2022, he was sentenced to five years and nine months, and fined HK$2 million, in the fraud case. The collusion prosecution is ongoing.

Born

8 Dec 1947

Industry

Business, Politics

Job Title

Businessman, Politician

last updated:

7 October, 2024

Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai maintains UK had ‘moral responsibility’ towards Hongkongers

Lai also dismisses contention he advocated for American interference, saying he does not want war between mainland China and Taiwan.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies making appeal for hostilities against Beijing

Jimmy Lai denies instigating US move to revoke Hong Kong special economic status

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies colluding with ex-US diplomat who had protest ideas

Former media boss maintained friendship with retired official but says he rejected suggestion by James Cunningham to instigate anti-China moves.

Jimmy Lai’s view Hong Kong would become like mainland China was ‘conjecture’

Justices interject in fiery exchange with former media owner, who insists he was telling truth about predicted changes on live-streamed show.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies skirting law with ‘indirect’ calls for sanctions

He also rejects accusations of inciting hatred in a commentary in which he mentioned friends intimidated by alleged Communist Party agent.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai ‘very cautious’ in interviews after security law passed

But he says call for sanctions could not have been hidden, even as law would prompt public to ‘conceal’ their thinking in their actions.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai wanted to grab US attention with security law prosecution

Unpublished letter reveals Lai felt he was targeted because he had ‘embarrassed’ Beijing by exposing its ‘hollow’ promises.

Jimmy Lai tells court he could have fled Hong Kong in 2020 but chose to stay

Ex-media boss gave an interview right after the enactment of security law, saying that he would fight for democracy in a ‘different way’.

Jimmy Lai says he didn’t think at first national security law would be ‘end’ of Hong Kong

Ex-media boss also denies saying that he believed his arrest would trigger foreign intervention.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies inciting others to breach the national security law

Ex-media boss tells court he had always cautioned others to refrain from crossing the line and committing an offence.

Jimmy Lai says Hong Kong ‘beyond redemption’ after security law took effect

Lai had called for the US to impose ‘sanctions and punishments’ on China before the situation became ‘hopeless’.

Jimmy Lai says Hong Kong ‘beyond redemption’ after national security law took effect

Woman briefly taken away and held in court building room after clapping at Lai’s remarks in past Radio Free Asia interview clip.

Jimmy Lai says he opposed US decision to end Hong Kong’s special trade status

Any change to Hong Kong’s preferential trade status in the United States would be counterproductive, former media boss tells trial.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai said sanctions would unleash ‘perfect storm’ in Beijing in 2020: court

Court hears ex-media boss gave a series of interviews with major foreign media outlets calling for tough action against Beijing.

Opinion | Hong Kong must cement its national security foundations to prosper

The truth is simple and profound: the stability or disarray, prosperity or poverty of every nation and region are intricately tied to the state of its security.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai urged US to start ‘war of competing values’ against Beijing

Former media boss admits he wanted US ‘moral authority’ to pressure Beijing and he became ‘desperate’ for ‘any support’ after security law.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai clarifies he was seeking US help, not the CIA’s

Ex-media boss says he was just regurgitating rumour floating around at the time and used the CIA and US interchangeably.

Jimmy Lai wanted ‘draconian’ US 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.

Beijing slams EU parliament over resolution to strip Hong Kong of trade status

Chinese foreign ministry’s arm in Hong Kong says resolution’s passage by European lawmakers ‘blatantly trampled on spirit of rule of law’.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai was not worried about being national security law target

Ex-media boss unsure over funding to paralegal Wayland Chan as assistant Mark Simon could spend ‘a couple million’ without need for approval.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai admits to lobbying for international support

Ex-media boss says at national security trial that belief sanctions could topple Communist Party is ‘more than ridiculous’.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai admits meetings with Pence, Pompeo ‘kind of’ lobbying

Ex-owner of Apple Daily says he supported sanctions against officials who ‘suppressed Hong Kong’ but not those against ‘China as a state’.

Jimmy Lai says he may have asked US official to sanction Beijing and Hong Kong

Lai also tries to distance himself from ‘Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong’ lobbying group, but admits he had multiple meetings with key members.

Exclusive | Call from European Parliament to cancel Hong Kong’s customs status

Lawmakers will vote on a resolution that includes proposal for ‘targeted sanctions’ on city’s leaders.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai claims ‘no knowledge’ of advocacy group he lent money to

Former tycoon also says he didn’t know ‘Stand With Hong Kong’ hashtag in his Twitter posts were similar to name of protest group that called for sanctions.

Beijing official’s speech signals Hong Kong has never been ‘independent’: experts

Beijing official Zhang Yong recently said ‘Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong’ guiding principle implies oversight by central authorities.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai wanted to lure readers with ‘negative’ mainland China news

Former media boss says English-language coverage did not need to be ‘balanced’, as he denies trying to trigger Western sanctions.