Major Controversies Surrounding Jimmy Lai: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jimmy Lai.

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".

2003: Pro-democracy protests and Next Magazine cover

In 2003, ahead of the record-breaking pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong during July, the cover of Next Magazine featured a photo-montage of the territory's embattled chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa taking a pie in the face. The magazine urged readers to take to the streets while Apple Daily distributed stickers calling for Tung to resign.

2014: Payments to Paul Wolfowitz and Phone Win

In 2014, leaked documents showed Jimmy Lai paid former US deputy defence secretary and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for his help with projects in Myanmar. Lai also reportedly remitted approximately US$213,000 to businessman Phone Win, with whom Lai's Hong Kong-registered Best Combo company reportedly collaborated on Yangon real estate projects.

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.

May 2020: Advocating for US intervention

In May 2020, Jimmy Lai told CNN that US president Donald Trump was "the only one who can save us" from China, with Apple Daily publishing a similar plea addressed to Trump the same month.

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: 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 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.

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: 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.

2021: Capitol attack

In 2020, Apple Daily published a falsehood-ridden 64-page report produced by Typhoon Investigations alleging Joe Biden's son Hunter had a "problematic" connection with the Chinese Communist Party, which was widely cited by far-right influencers such as Steve Bannon. An NBC News report linked the Typhoon Investigations to a fake "intelligence firm" and claimed that the author of the document, a self-identified Swiss security analyst named Martin Aspen, was a "fabricated identity". The original poster of the document, Christopher Balding, admitted that he wrote parts of the document and later stated that the document had been commissioned by Apple Daily. This was among many incidents US democracy experts believe was instrumental in the cause of the 2021 Capitol attack there.

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".

November 2024: Admission about negative news

On 25 November 2024, Jimmy Lai admitted that he told Cheung Kim-hung about featuring more negative news in an English edition of Apple Daily, which was launched in May 2020, about a month before the enactment of the Beijing-imposed security law.

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.