Career Timeline of Jimmy Lai: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jimmy Lai made an impact.

Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong businessman and British citizen, is a prominent figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. He founded Giordano, Next Digital, and Apple Daily. Lai has been a significant supporter of the Democratic Party in Hong Kong. Imprisoned in 2020, his media operations were forced to close due to pressure from the Chinese government, highlighting the conflict between business, political activism, and governmental control.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1975: Bought a bankrupt garment factory

In 1975, Jimmy Lai used his year-end bonus on Hong Kong stocks to raise cash and bought a bankrupt garment factory, Comitex, where he began producing and exporting sweaters.

1981: Founded Giordano

In 1981, Jimmy Lai founded Asian clothing retailer Giordano.

1989: Became an advocate of democracy

Owing to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, Jimmy Lai became an advocate of democracy and critic of the People's Republic of China government.

1990: Began publishing Next Magazine

In 1990, Jimmy Lai began publishing Next Magazine, which combined tabloid sensationalism with hard-hitting political and business reporting.

1995: Founded Apple Daily

In 1995, as the Hong Kong handover approached, Jimmy Lai founded Apple Daily, a newspaper start-up that he financed with $100 million of his own money.

1996: Sold stake in Giordano

In 1996, Jimmy Lai sold his stake in Giordano, leaving the garment industry for media and politics, keeping Comitex active as a shell company.

1997: Apple Daily's circulation rises

By 1997, Apple Daily's circulation rose to 400,000 copies, which was the territory's second largest among 60 other newspapers.

1999: Listed company on Hong Kong Stock Exchange

Jimmy Lai managed to list the company in 1999 by acquiring Paramount Publishing Group in October of that year, sidestepping a lengthy battle to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

2001: Launched Taiwanese editions of Next Magazine

Jimmy Lai launched Taiwanese editions of Next Magazine in 2001, taking on heavily established rivals who made considerable effort to thwart him.

2003: Launched Taiwanese editions of Apple Daily

Jimmy Lai launched Taiwanese editions of Apple Daily in 2003, taking on heavily established rivals who made considerable effort to thwart him.

October 2006: Launched Sharp Daily and Me! Magazine in Taiwan

In October 2006, Jimmy Lai launched Sharp Daily (Shuang Bao in Mandarin), a free daily newspaper targeting Taipei commuters. The company also launched Me! Magazine in Taiwan.

2006: Rankings of Sudden Weekly, Next Magazine, and Apple Daily

In 2006, Sudden Weekly and Next Magazine ranked first and second in circulation for Hong Kong's magazine market. Apple Daily became the No. 2 newspaper in Hong Kong.

May 2007: Premiere of 'The Call of the Entrepreneur'

In May 2007, "The Call of the Entrepreneur", a documentary by Cold Water Media featuring Jimmy Lai, premiered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US on 17 May 2007.

Loading Video...

2011: Next Media sold stake of Colored World Holdings

In 2011, Next Media reportedly sold 70 per cent stake of Next Media's subsidiary Colored World Holdings (CWH, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) to Sum Tat Ventures (STV, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands), a private company 100 per cent owned by Jimmy Lai. CWH was estimated to have net asset value of US$6.1 million. STV paid US$100 million in cash for 70 per cent stake of CWH. CWH itself had its assets sold in 2011, and ceased operation in 2011.

2013: STV paid for remaining stake of CWH

In 2013, STV paid another US$20 million for the remaining 30 per cent stake of CWH.

2013: Purchase of HTC stake

Near the end of 2013, Jimmy Lai spent approximately US$73 million (or NT$2.3 billion) to purchase a 2 per cent stake (~17 million shares) in Taiwanese electronics manufacturer HTC.

December 2014: Arrest during Umbrella Movement and resignation

On 13 December 2014, Jimmy Lai was one of the pro-democracy leaders arrested during the clearance of the Admiralty protest site of the Umbrella Movement. On the following day, Lai announced he would step down as head of Next Media "to spend more time with his family and further pursue his personal interests."

November 2019: Lai Meets with US Leaders to Discuss Hong Kong Protests

In November 2019, Jimmy Lai met with US Vice President Mike Pence and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss the Hong Kong protests, advocating for shared values against China and met with US National Security Advisor John Bolton.

May 2020: Launched English Edition of Apple Daily

In May 2020, Jimmy Lai launched English edition of Apple Daily.

2020: Launched English version of Apple Daily

In 2020, Jimmy Lai launched an English version of Apple Daily.

2020: Freedom of Press Award and resignation from Next Digital

In 2020, Jimmy Lai was awarded the "Freedom of Press Award" by Reporters Without Borders and resigned from his roles with Next Digital as director and chairman of the board.

November 2024: Lai's Testimony and Alleged Requests for Sanctions

In November 2024, during his testimony, Jimmy Lai stated he might have asked U.S. officials to sanction Beijing and Hong Kong. He was also asked to explain his meetings with then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence. Additionally, he distanced himself from the lobbying group "Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong".

December 2025: Guilty Verdict in National Security Trial

On 15 December 2025, Hong Kong's High Court found Jimmy Lai guilty of collusion and sedition in his national security trial, stating that he conspired with others, including Apple Daily staff, to undermine national security.