Jimmy Lai

We campaign to free British citizen Jimmy Lai, who is an iconic symbol of Hong Kong’s fight for freedom.

Jimmy Lai fled mainland China at the age of twelve during a devastating famine that claimed millions of lives. In Hong Kong, he worked tirelessly, taking any job available and often sleeping on a table in a clothing factory. By the age of twenty-one, he was managing a factory, and by his mid-twenties, he owned one, supplying major American brands such as Polo and The Limited. In 1981, he founded Giordano, pioneering the concept of “fast fashion.” Ever the entrepreneur, Lai was planning to disrupt Hong Kong’s fast-food industry when the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre changed the course of his life.

Shocked by the crackdown, Lai entered the media world to advocate for democracy in Hong Kong. He launched the magazine Next and, in 1995, founded the newspaper Apple Daily. Known for its bold graphics, local news, gossip, and strong opposition to the Chinese Communist Party, Apple Daily quickly became a success. For over two decades, Lai used these platforms to promote democracy, while also participating in rallies, marches, and the 2014 Occupy Central movement.

Lai also took his activism abroad, frequently travelling to Washington to garner support for Hong Kong’s freedoms. His 2019 meetings with American officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, enraged Beijing. In mid-2020, a sweeping national security law was introduced in Hong Kong, criminalising dissent and making Lai a prime target. In August 2020, Apple Daily was raided, and Lai was arrested. He has since faced numerous politically motivated charges, ranging from “incitement to riot” to “fraud,” and now stands accused of “collusion with foreign forces” and printing “seditious materials.”

Who is Jimmy Lai?

Jimmy Lai fled mainland China at twelve during a devastating famine, and he arrived in Hong Kong with nothing. He worked tirelessly, often sleeping in a factory, and by 21, he was running his own business. By his mid-twenties, he was supplying major U.S. brands and went on to create Giordano, pioneering “fast fashion” in 1981.

After witnessing the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, Lai shifted focus to media, founding Next Magazine and Apple Daily, a newspaper that fiercely advocated for democracy and opposed the Chinese Communist Party. Apple Daily became hugely popular, and for over two decades, Lai used it as a platform to push for democratic reforms, even participating in Hong Kong’s 2014 Occupy Central movement. Through it all, Lai has remained a staunch defender of freedom, despite facing mounting legal pressures.

Why was Jimmy Lai arrested?

Jimmy Lai was arrested multiple times, with key arrests in 2020 and 2021, essentially for “committing journalism” critical of Chinese Communist Party leaders. His first major arrest occurred on August 10, 2020, under Hong Kong’s national security law under a charge of collusion with foreign forces. In addition, Lai was arrested for speaking with foreign governments, including the U.S., which was viewed as an attempt to push for international support for Hong Kong’s democracy movement. He was arrested again in late 2020 and 2021 for his ongoing activism and media work.

What does Jimmy Lai mean for press freedom in Hong Kong?

Jimmy Lai symbolises the fight for press freedom in Hong Kong. As the founder of Apple Daily, Lai built a platform known for its bold reporting and unwavering criticism of the Chinese government, making it a beacon of independent journalism in the region. His arrest and the closure of Apple Daily in 2021 marked a dark turning point for press freedom in Hong Kong. Ever since, Hong Kong media outlets have faced increasing pressure to censor (or self-censor) due to Beijing’s growing influence.

Lai’s trials and legal battles reflect the broader crackdown on free speech, with his persecution seen as a warning to other journalists and media organisations in Hong Kong. Despite this, his commitment to press freedom and democracy has made him a symbol of resistance, highlighting the importance of independent journalism in holding power to account.

What can be done to free Jimmy Lai?

To free Jimmy Lai, there are several actions that can be taken at local and international levels:

1. International pressure and diplomacy: Governments and international organisations can exert diplomatic pressure on China and Hong Kong authorities to release Lai and drop the charges against him. Public statements from world leaders, along with resolutions in international bodies like the United Nations, can draw attention to the injustice of his trial.
2. Global media coverage: Media outlets around the world can continue to highlight Lai’s case, keeping it in the public eye and emphasising the importance of press freedom. Increased global attention serves to let the Hong Kong authorities know the world is watching and they should reconsider their stance.
3. Activism and advocacy: Human rights organisations, like Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, can continue to advocate for Lai’s release, organising campaigns, protests, and petitions to build a global movement in support of his freedom.
4. Legal support: Providing legal aid and support for Lai’s defence team can help ensure that his case is properly represented in court and that international legal principles on freedom of expression and human rights are upheld.
5. Solidarity actions: Individuals and organisations can show solidarity with Lai by participating in campaigns, writing to government officials, or donating to causes that support press freedom and the protection of political prisoners.

“Jimmy simply believes in freedom and wanted only for the Chinese government to live up to the promises it made to the people of Hong Kong – and to the world – that the city would continue to enjoy its longstanding freedoms after the Chinese government took over the former British colony in 1997. Prosecutors showed that his “crime” was nothing more than committing journalism and standing up for the people of Hong Kong.”

– Mark Clifford, CFHK Foundation President

Our Impact

CFHK Foundation advocacy concentrates on raising Jimmy Lai’s profile and advocating for policy change that builds global pressure for his release. Since our founding, Jimmy Lai has become one of the world’s most famous political prisoners and CFHK Foundation President Mark Clifford’s biography of Lai, “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong’s Greatest Dissident, and China’s Most Feared Critic,” is keeping his name in the spotlight worldwide. We’ve drawn attention to his case by casting large projections of the message “Free Jimmy Lai” onto famous landmarks in London and New York. Informed by our policy briefs, global parliaments have debated the absurdity of the charges he faces and drafted legislation that carries his name. And the injustice he faces has been detailed in thousands of media reports, hundreds of which quote CFHK Foundation staff.

Work We've Done on Jimmy Lai

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Jimmy Lai Marks 1500 Days in Hong Kong Prison as National Security Trial Continues

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025 – Today, British citizen Jimmy Lai, 77, passes his 1,500th day imprisoned in Hong Kong on politically


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We campaign to free British citizen Jimmy Lai, who is an iconic symbol of Hong Kong’s fight for freedom.

Our Impact

Work We've Done on Jimmy Lai

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