Challenges Faced by Jimmy Lai: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Jimmy Lai faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

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

1994: Banned from China after newspaper column

Jimmy Lai's publications remained banned in China since their inception. The ban originated from Lai's 1994 newspaper column, where he told Premier of the PRC Li Peng, seen as a driving force behind the Tiananmen Square crackdown, to "drop dead". He also called the Chinese Communist Party "a monopoly that charges a premium for lousy service".

1997: Hong Kong handover

Since the Hong Kong handover in 1997, some activists felt that the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong government, which have been Chinese-controlled, did not always follow up on these misconducts against Lai, and that culprits are rarely found.

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.

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."

January 2015: Petrol Bomb Attacks on Lai's Home and Next Media

In January 2015, masked men launched petrol bomb attacks on Jimmy Lai's home and the Next Media headquarters, which were denounced as an "attack on press freedom."

2017: Allegation of Intimidation of Reporter in 2017

In 2017, Jimmy Lai allegedly intimidated an Oriental Daily reporter after the reporter took photos of him, which led to his arrest in February 2020.

October 2019: Arrest based on actions in October 2019

In October 2019, Jimmy Lai was allegedly involved in actions that led to his arrest in April 2020, including suspicion of organizing, publicizing, or taking part in several unauthorized assemblies.

2019: Unlawful assembly during the 2019 protests

During the 2019 protests, Jimmy Lai participated in an unlawful assembly. On 1 April he was convicted and on April 16, 2021, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison

2019: Hong Kong protests of 2019-2020

During the Hong Kong protests of 2019-2020, Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) met with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and National Security Advisor John Bolton.

2019: Role in an unauthorized assembly in 2019

In May 2021, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to additional 14 months' imprisonment over his role in an unauthorized assembly in 2019.

2019: Firebombing of Lai's home

Jimmy Lai's home was firebombed several times, most recently in 2019.

February 2020: Jimmy Lai Arrested for Illegal Assembly

On February 28, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested for illegal assembly during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, and for allegedly intimidating an Oriental Daily reporter after the reporter took photos of him in 2017.

April 2020: Lai Arrested Among 15 High-Profile Democracy Figures

On April 18, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested among 15 high-profile democracy figures in Hong Kong, suspected of organizing, publicizing, or participating in unauthorized assemblies between August and October 2019.

June 2020: Hong Kong National Security Law Enacted

In June 2020, the Hong Kong national security law was enacted by China, with Jimmy Lai calling it "a death knell for Hong Kong" before its enactment, alleging it would destroy the territory's rule of law.

August 2020: Arrest and attempted asset sale

After Jimmy Lai's arrest under National Security Law in August 2020, he tried to sell his assets in Hong Kong, including the entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre. It was reported that Comitex, along with other private companies controlled by Lai, were the financial tools for his political activities and donations.

August 2020: Aiding in escape attempt to Taiwan in August 2020

In August 2020, Jimmy Lai aided activist Andy Li in his ill-fated attempt to escape to Taiwan with eleven others, leading to his arrest in February 2021 while already in prison.

August 2020: Lai Arrested and Apple Daily Offices Raided

On August 10, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested at his home for alleged collusion with foreign forces and fraud, under the new national security law. Other Next Digital staff were also arrested, and approximately 200 Hong Kong police officers raided the offices of Apple Daily in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. HSBC froze his bank account.

August 2020: Arrested on charges of violating national security law

On August 10, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested by the Hong Kong Police Force for allegedly violating the territory's new national security law, which led to widespread criticism.

December 2020: Lai Tearfully Admits Fear for Family

In December 2020, during an interview with BBC News, Jimmy Lai admitted fear for his family while continuing his activism from the Apple Daily newsroom, stating he would live his life meaningfully even if jailed and discussed the government's use of fear as a control tactic.

December 2020: Lai Charged Under National Security Law

On December 11, 2020, Jimmy Lai became the first high-profile figure 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 requesting foreign sanctions.

December 2020: Lai Rearrested for Alleged Fraud

On December 2, 2020, Jimmy Lai was rearrested for alleged fraud related to Next Digital office space lease terms and possible national security law violation, and he was denied bail.

December 2020: Lai 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, bans on media interviews and social media, and mandatory police reporting.

December 2020: Lai Ordered Back to Prison by Court of Final Appeal

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: Imprisoned and business operations shuttered

In 2020, Jimmy Lai was imprisoned, and his business operations were shut down due to pressure from the Chinese government.

February 2021: Top Court Denies Bail

In February 2021, Hong Kong's top court denied Jimmy Lai's bail; a new bail application by Lai was rejected on February 19.

February 2021: Lai Arrested for Aiding Activist's Escape Attempt

On February 16, 2021, Jimmy Lai was arrested while in prison for aiding activist Andy Li in his attempt to escape to Taiwan in August 2020.

April 2021: Sentenced to additional prison time

In April 2021, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison for organising illegal protests.

April 2021: Fraud case adjourned until April 2021

In December 2020, Jimmy Lai's fraud case was adjourned, with Lai being denied bail until April 2021.

April 2021: Serving Sentence From April 2021

In December 2021 Jimmy Lai, while already serving a sentence from April 2021, was convicted and sentenced for his role in the banned Tiananmen candlelight vigil in Hong Kong.

April 2021: Lai Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Unlawful Assembly

On April 16, 2021, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 14 months in prison for an unauthorised assembly charge during the 2019 protests, following his conviction on April 1.

April 2021: Jailed until April 2021

On December 3, Jimmy Lai was accused of fraud and his bail was revoked. The court decided to jail Lai until April 2021, marking the first time Lai has been detained.

May 2021: Lai's Assets Frozen and Additional Imprisonment

In May 2021, the Hong Kong government froze all of Jimmy Lai's assets, including shares of Next Digital Limited and property. On May 28, 2021, he received an additional 14 months' imprisonment for his role in an unauthorised assembly in 2019, totaling 20 months in prison.

December 2021: Lai Convicted and Sentenced for Tiananmen Vigil Role

On December 9, 2021, Jimmy Lai was convicted for his role in the banned Tiananmen candlelight vigil in Hong Kong. On December 13, 2021, he was sentenced to an additional 13 months' imprisonment. He was already serving his April 2021 sentence.

August 2022: Lai Pled Not-Guilty to Collusion Charges

On August 22, 2022, Jimmy Lai pled not-guilty to charges related to "collusion with foreign forces."

November 2022: Government Seeks to Disallow UK Lawyer

In late 2022, and after rejection of the last appeal at the High Court on 28 November 2022, the Hong Kong government appealed to the NPCSC to disallow Jimmy Lai from using a UK lawyer, Tim Owen.

December 2022: Lai Sentenced in Fraud Case

On December 10, 2022, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months and fined 2 million Hong Kong dollars in the fraud case.

August 2024: Motion for appeal rejected

In August 2024, Jimmy Lai's motion for an appeal was rejected.

August 2024: Court Rejects Appeals Against Conviction

On August 12, 2024, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal rejected the appeals by Jimmy Lai and six others against conviction for taking part in an unauthorised procession. His sentence was not suspended.

September 2024: Complaint Submitted to UN Special Rapporteur

In September 2024, a group claiming to be Jimmy Lai's international legal team submitted an urgent complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, alleging poor prison conditions and inadequate medical and religious access.

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".

September 2025: Imprisoned in solitary confinement

As of September 2025, Jimmy Lai remains imprisoned in solitary confinement at Hong Kong's Stanley Prison.

December 2025: Found guilty of national security offenses

In December 2025, Jimmy Lai was found guilty of national security offenses.

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.

February 2026: Sentenced to 20 years in prison

In February 2026, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison, a penalty Human Rights Watch called "both cruel and profoundly unjust."

2026: Lai's Health Issues in Custody

Prior to his conviction in 2026, while in custody for over five years, Jimmy Lai experienced health problems including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and diabetes.