Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai ‘mastermind’ behind seditious Apple Daily articles portraying central government as ‘totalitarian regime’, prosecutors allege in national security trial

Prosecutors say media mogul Jimmy Lai penned seditious pieces calling for overthrow of mainland China’s ‘totalitarian regime’ and advocating US trade war

Lai’s editorial direction at now-closed Apple Daily tabloid in spotlight on fifth day of high-profile trial

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Jimmy Lai (centre) in custody outside Apple Daily’s offices in 2020. Prosecutors have presented 31 examples of allegedly seditious content published by the tabloid between June 2019 and January 2020. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 3:09pm, 3 Jan 2024Updated: 11:57am, 4 Jan 2024

Prosecutors accused Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying on Wednesday of being the “mastermind” behind a series of allegedly seditious articles published by his now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid, including ones portraying the central government as “a totalitarian regime” and others promoting US efforts to contain Beijing.

On the fifth day of the high-profile trial at West Kowloon Court, the prosecution submitted 31 examples of allegedly seditious content published by the newspaper between June 2019 and January 2020 during the social unrest sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill and before the imposition of the national security law.

The 76-year-old businessman has pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the Beijing-decreed national security law, which came into effect on June 30, 2020, and a third conspiracy offence arising from colonial-era sedition legislation.

The allegedly seditious content includes commentaries, advertisements and news articles about topics ranging from local authorities’ handling of the protests, the Covid-19 epidemic and issues relating to Taiwan.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Chau Tin-hang argued the content was published as a result of actions taken by the media mogul, who was an “instrumental” figure in the Apple Daily newsroom.

Members of the public line up for a spot in the gallery. One supporter called out words of encouragement during the proceedings. Photo: Eugene Lee

The examples included a commentary titled “Defending morality and resisting totalitarianism is the responsibility of everyone in the world”, published January 26, 2020, which prosecutors said showed Lai’s approval of efforts by then United States president Donald Trump to contain China’s rise through a trade war.

“The new Cold War, ignited by a Trump-led opposition to the Chinese Community Party’s tough stance, is a global moral wake-up call to the spread of China’s totalitarianism,” he wrote.