Career Timeline of Jimmy Lai: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Jimmy Lai is a Hong Kong businessman, pro-democracy activist, and founder of Giordano, Next Digital, and Apple Daily. A vocal critic of the Chinese government, Lai has been a key figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, providing support to the Democratic Party. He became a British citizen in 1994. In 2020, Lai was imprisoned, and his media businesses were forced to close due to pressure from the Chinese government. His case has drawn international attention to the suppression of dissent and freedom of the press in Hong Kong.

Sections (5)

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

1975: Purchase of 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: Foundation of Giordano

In 1981, Jimmy Lai founded the Asian clothing retailer Giordano.

1990: Foundation of Next Magazine

In 1990, Jimmy Lai founded Next Magazine, which combined tabloid sensationalism with political and business reporting.

1995: Establishment of Apple Daily

In 1995, Jimmy Lai invested US$100 million to establish Apple Daily.

1996: Sale of Giordano Stake

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

1997: Circulation of Apple Daily

By 1997, Apple Daily's circulation reached 400,000 copies, making it the territory's second-largest newspaper.

1999: Listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

In 1999, Jimmy Lai achieved listing his company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through a reverse takeover of Paramount Publishing Group, after facing obstacles and supplier boycotts.

2001: Expansion into Taiwan with Next Magazine

In 2001, Jimmy Lai expanded into Taiwan with a Taiwanese edition of Next Magazine.

2003: Introduction of Apple Daily in Taiwan

In 2003, Jimmy Lai introduced Apple Daily in Taiwan, entering a competitive and politically charged market.

2006: Leading Magazine and Newspaper Circulation

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

2006: Launch of New Publications in Taiwan

In 2006, Jimmy Lai launched Sharp Daily, a free commuter newspaper, along with Me! Magazine in Taiwan.

May 2007: "The Call of the Entrepreneur" Film Premiere

In May 2007, The Call of the Entrepreneur, a documentary produced by Cold Water Media in which Jimmy Lai is one of the main subjects, premiered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US on 17 May 2007.

2011: Acquisition of Colored World Holdings

In 2011, Jimmy Lai's private company Sum Tat Ventures, based in the British Virgin Islands, acquired the entirety of Next Media's subsidiary Colored World Holdings for US$120 million, shortly after which CWH ceased operations.

2013: Investment in HTC

Near the end of 2013, Jimmy Lai spent approximately US$73 million to purchase a 2 per cent stake in Taiwanese electronics manufacturer HTC.

December 2014: Arrest and Resignation Announcement

On December 13, 2014, Jimmy Lai was arrested during the clearance of the Admiralty protest site of the Umbrella Movement. The next day, he announced he would step down as head of Next Media.

August 2020: Arrest and Apple Daily Raid

On August 10, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested at his home for alleged collusion with foreign forces and fraud. Other Next Digital staff were also arrested. Hong Kong police raided the offices of Apple Daily, seizing materials, and HSBC froze Lai's bank account.

December 2020: BBC Interview and Fear for Family

In December 2020, Jimmy Lai, temporarily out on bail, was interviewed by BBC News from the Apple Daily newsroom. During the interview, he expressed his fear for his family due to his activism, but stated that imprisonment would mean he lived his life meaningfully, and warned against the government's use of fear as a control tactic.

December 2020: Charged Under National Security Law

On December 11, 2020, Jimmy Lai was charged under the new national security law for allegedly conspiring and colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, based on statements he made on Twitter.

December 2020: Arrest for Alleged Fraud

On December 2, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested for alleged fraud related to lease terms for Next Digital office space, during his bail reporting for the August arrest. He was denied bail, and the case was adjourned until April 2021.

December 2020: Granted Bail with Strict Conditions

On December 23, 2020, Jimmy Lai was granted bail by the High Court with conditions including a HK$10 million deposit, house arrest, surrender of travel documents, and bans on media interviews, publishing articles, and social media use, including Twitter. He also had to report to police thrice a week.

December 2020: Return to Prison Ordered

On December 31, 2020, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal ordered Jimmy Lai back to prison after the Department of Justice appealed his release on bail.

2020: Launch of English-Language Apple Daily Edition

In 2020, amidst escalating political tensions, Jimmy Lai launched an English-language edition of Apple Daily. Same year, the English edition published a report alleging problematic ties between Hunter Biden and the Chinese Communist Party, which was later questioned for credibility.

February 2021: Bail Denied by Top Court

On February 9, 2021, Hong Kong's top court denied Jimmy Lai's bail. A new bail application by Lai was rejected on February 19.

April 2021: Adjournment of Fraud Case

In April 2021, Jimmy Lai's fraud case, related to lease terms for Next Digital office space, was adjourned after his December 2020 arrest. He remained denied bail.