Early Life and Education of Jimmy Lai: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jimmy Lai. A timeline of key moments.

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

December 1947: Jimmy Lai's birth

In December 1947, Lai Chee-ying (Jimmy Lai) was born.

December 1947: Born in Canton

On December 8, 1947, Jimmy Lai was born in Canton (Guangzhou), China, to a wealthy business family right before the Communist Party assumed power in the country.

1989: Met Current Wife Teresa

In 1989, Jimmy Lai met his current wife Teresa, who was then a 24-year-old college student.

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.

1994: Became a British citizen

In 1994, Jimmy Lai became a British citizen.

1997: Acquisition of properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake

In 1997, Jimmy Lai provided the capital for his twin sister, Si Wai, to acquire numerous properties in the Southern Ontario wine and vacation region of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Lais Group of Companies now owns additional properties in Caledon and Jordan, both in Ontario. Lai remains the owner despite his arrest.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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: Discussion of the 2019 extradition law in documentary

In 2022, a documentary about Jimmy Lai mentions how COVID-19 was used as a pretext for banning protesters from organizing following the initial eruption of activity that came after the extradition law was first proposed in 2019.

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.

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.

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.

September 2020: Lai Found Not Guilty of Intimidation Charge

On September 3, 2020, Jimmy Lai was found not guilty of the Oriental Daily criminal intimidation charge.

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.

2022: Acton Institute Releases Documentary About Lai

In 2022, the Acton Institute released a documentary about Jimmy Lai's political activism called "The Hong Konger", in which Lai discusses COVID-19's use as a pretext for banning protests and criticizes corporate investment in China.

December 2023: US and British Officials Call for Lai's Release

In December 2023, the U.S. State Department and British foreign secretary David Cameron called for Jimmy Lai's release, citing concerns about press freedom and politically motivated charges, shortly before his trial was set to begin.

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.

September 2024: Law Firm Clarifies Lai's Prison Treatment

On September 27, 2024, Robertsons, Jimmy Lai's law firm, issued a statement clarifying that Lai is receiving appropriate treatment in prison, including sunlight access and exercise, and that Holy Communion is available through special arrangements.

October 2024: Trump Pledges to Intervene for Lai's Release

In October 2024, president-elect Donald Trump stated he would speak to CCP general secretary Xi Jinping about "getting Jimmy Lai out and out of the country."

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.

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.