Major Controversies Surrounding Jimmy Lai: A Detailed Timeline

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

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

1994: Banning of Publications in Mainland China

In 1994, Jimmy Lai's publications were banned in mainland China after he criticized then-premier Li Peng and the Chinese Communist Party in a column.

1997: Start of the Chinese Controlled Government

Since the handover in 1997, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong government has been Chinese-controlled.

2003: Political Activism with Next Magazine and Apple Daily

In 2003, ahead of the 1 July march, Next Magazine and Apple Daily featured a photo-montage of Tung Chee-Hwa taking a pie in the face and urged citizens to protest, distributing stickers calling for his resignation.

2014: Leaked Documents and Payments

In 2014, leaked documents showed that Jimmy Lai paid Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for his help with projects in Myanmar and remitted approximately US$213,000 to an NGO run by Phone Win.

November 2019: Meeting with US Officials

In November 2019, Jimmy Lai met with US Vice President Mike Pence and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss the Hong Kong protests. Pelosi expressed support for the Hong Kong protesters.

2019: Unauthorised Assembly

In 2019, Jimmy Lai participated in an unauthorised assembly, which led to an additional 14 months' imprisonment in May 2021.

2019: Extradition Law Proposal

In 2019, The documentary "The Hong Konger" refers to how COVID-19 was used as a pretext for banning protesters from organising following the initial eruption of activity that came after the extradition law was first proposed in 2019.

May 2020: Advocacy and Political Stance

In May 2020, Jimmy Lai stated to CNN that Donald Trump was "the only one who can save us" from China, with Apple Daily publishing a similar plea to Trump. He backed Trump in the 2020 United States elections for his "hardline approach" to Beijing.

June 2020: National Security Law Enactment

In June 2020, China's parliament enacted the Hong Kong national security law, bypassing Hong Kong's Legislative Council. Prior to its enactment, Jimmy Lai described the law as "a death knell for Hong Kong," claiming it would destroy the territory's rule of law.

August 2020: Andy Li's Escape Attempt

In August 2020, activist Andy Li attempted to escape to Taiwan with eleven others, an attempt for which Jimmy Lai was later arrested in February 2021 for allegedly aiding.

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.

August 2020: Arrest Under National Security Law

On August 10, 2020, Jimmy Lai was arrested under the new national security law, leading to widespread criticism.

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.

January 6, 2021: Capitol Attack

The Hunter Biden report was said to be instrumental to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

February 2021: Arrested for Aiding Escape Attempt

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

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.

April 2021: Sentence Being Served

In December 2021, Jimmy Lai was serving a sentence from April 2021 when he was convicted for his role in the banned Tiananmen candlelight vigil.

April 2021: Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Assembly

On April 1, 2021, Jimmy Lai was convicted on a separate case over "unlawful assembly" during the 2019 protests along with six other activists and politicians. On April 16, 2021, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison for the unauthorised assembly charge.

May 2021: Assets Frozen and Additional Imprisonment

In May 2021, the Hong Kong government froze all of Jimmy Lai's assets. On May 28, 2021, he was sentenced to an additional 14 months' imprisonment over his role in an unauthorised assembly in 2019, bringing his total prison sentence to 20 months.

December 2021: Conviction for Tiananmen Vigil Role

On December 9, 2021, while serving his April 2021 sentence, Jimmy Lai and two others were convicted for their roles in the banned Tiananmen candlelight vigil in Hong Kong. On December 13, 2021, Lai was sentenced to an additional 13 months' imprisonment over his role in the banned vigil.

August 2022: Pled Not-Guilty to Collusion Charges

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

November 2022: Attempt to Disallow UK Lawyer

In November 2022, Paul Lam and the Department of Justice appealed to the court system, in an attempt to disallow Jimmy Lai from using a UK lawyer, Tim Owen.

December 2022: 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, over the fraud case.

2022: Release of "The Hong Konger" Documentary

In 2022, the Acton Institute released a documentary about Jimmy Lai's political activism called "The Hong Konger." The film discusses COVID-19's use as a pretext for banning protesters and highlights the unity between younger and older generations in Hong Kong. It also criticizes corporate investment in China and its human-rights violations.

December 2023: U.S. and UK Call for Lai's Release

In December 2023, The U.S. State Department called for Jimmy Lai's release shortly before his trial. British foreign secretary David Cameron also called for Lai's release, calling the charges politically motivated.

August 2024: Rejection of Appeals and Imprisonment

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. Lai's sentence was not suspended. He remained in prison pending other charges related to national security.

September 2024: Complaint to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

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. The complaint alleged that Lai receives inadequate outdoor exercise and sunlight exposure in prison, has experienced weight loss and isn't receiving adequate diabetes treatment, and has been denied Holy Communion.

September 2024: Statement from Robertsons Law Firm

On September 27, 2024, Robertsons, the Hong Kong law firm representing Jimmy Lai, issued a statement clarifying that Lai is receiving appropriate treatment in prison. They stated that he has access to sunlight and about one hour of exercise daily, and can receive Holy Communion through special arrangements.

October 2024: Trump Vows to Address Lai's Imprisonment

In October 2024, president-elect Donald Trump, during an interview, said he would speak to CCP general secretary Xi Jinping about getting Jimmy Lai out of prison, stating that it would be "so easy" to free Lai.

November 2024: Lai's Testimony and Threats to Attorneys

During his testimony in November 2024, Jimmy Lai said he might have asked U.S. officials to sanction Beijing and Hong Kong. He has also distanced himself from the international lobbying group "Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong". Lai's attorneys have been targeted by phishing attempts, rape threats, and death threats.

December 2025: Guilty Verdict in National Security Trial

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