Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai hailed US for antagonising Beijing and said it was right time for Washington’s ‘full-scale war’ on Xi administration, court hears

Lai’s comments triggered by former US vice-president Mike Pence’s speech in 2018, where American leader accused China of expanding interests on US soil, court hears

Tycoon had said US assessed Xi’s position was weak and wanted to lead the West, Japan to adjust their China policies, according to text message

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Tycoon Jimmy Lai hailed Washington for antagonising Beijing, a court has heard. Prosecutors examined on Monday a former Apple Daily editorial writer who was testifying against his former boss. Photo: AP

Published: 7:43pm, 11 Mar 2024Updated: 9:09pm, 11 Mar 2024

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying praised the United States for antagonising Beijing and said the timing was “just right” for Washington to wage a “full-scale war” against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “weak” administration, the mogul’s national security trial has heard.

Prosecutors on Monday drew West Kowloon Court’s attention to Lai’s comments after a speech by then-US vice-president Mike Pence in October 2018, where he accused China of using its political, economic and military apparatus to expand its influence and interests on American soil.

“A table flip,” the tycoon said in a text message to Yeung Ching-kee, a former Apple Daily editorial writer who was testifying for the prosecution.

“The United States’ intention to lead the West and countries like Japan to adjust their China policies cannot be clearer. It comes in the face of Xi’s weak position [in China]. The timing is just right!”

Apple Daily’s former editorial writer, Yeung Ching-kee, arrives at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre in July 2021. Photo: Felix Wong

The tycoon added the United States was adding insult to injury by declaring not just a trade war against China, but a “full-scale war”.