Trump ‘not optimistic’ on Jimmy Lai’s release after raising case with Xi
Chinese leader ‘said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do’, US president says on his return trip from Beijing
US President Donald Trump has said he is not optimistic about the release of former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who was jailed for 20 years for violating the national security law, after raising the issue with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing.
“[Xi] said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do; he went through a lot, right or wrong, they went through a lot,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One during his return flight to the United States.
When asked whether the two sides had discussed human rights issues, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday that Beijing had repeatedly stated its position on Lai’s case.
He said Lai was a key instigator and participant in anti-China and destabilising activities in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs,” Guo said. “The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong judiciary in performing its duties in accordance with the law.”
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump said he would “100 per cent” get Lai out of jail.