Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai begins to testify in his national security trial
NBCNov 20
Hong Kong: Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Testifies in Collusion Trial
Above: Jimmy Lai (C) holds a banner as he marches along Queen's Road Central during a protest in the Central district of Hong Kong on Aug. 18, 2019. Image copyright: Justin Chin/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
Former publisher Jimmy Lai, 77, began testifying Wednesday in a Hong Kong national security trial, in which he faces potential life imprisonment for alleged collusion with foreign forces.
Lai, who founded the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in 2020 during a crackdown on Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy protests that had begun a year prior.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Jimmy Lai’s prosecution highlights Hong Kong's commitment to safeguarding national security and upholding the rule of law. As a key participant in anti-China activities, his actions threatened societal stability. The US, by meddling in China’s internal affairs under the guise of democracy, has undermined judicial independence and disregarded Hong Kong's sovereignty.
Anti-China narrative
This trial represents a severe deterioration of press freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, departing from the civil liberties promised during the 1997 handover. The prosecution of media figures and democracy advocates has transformed the once-vibrant city into a mirror of mainland China's authoritarian system.