Trump Vows to Secure Release of Hong Kong Publisher Jimmy Lai During Xi Jinping Summit

Prison guards in Hong Kong have begun rehearsing procedures in case of Jimmy Lai's death in custody, a development that underscores the dire circumstances of the 78-year-old pro-democracy publisher. Lai has been incarcerated for over 2,000 days and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February under Hong Kong's national security law.

A report from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation revealed the rehearsals, prompting concerns from those who see Lai's case as a stark symbol of the erosion of freedoms in the city.

Lai, who founded the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has been a prominent voice advocating for democracy in China and Hong Kong. His prosecution, which Hong Kong authorities and Beijing maintain is legitimate, is viewed by critics as punishment for journalism and political dissent. Lai was convicted on charges including conspiracy and collusion with foreign forces, and seditious publications.

Donald Trump, in a 2024 interview, stated unequivocally that he would secure Lai's release if re-elected. "100%, yes. 100%, I'll get him out," Trump said when asked about convincing Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene.

Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington for a summit with Trump, with trade, tariffs, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence expected to dominate the agenda. However, the plight of Jimmy Lai is being presented as a critical issue that should be at the forefront of discussions.

For Trump, securing Lai's release could represent a significant foreign policy win and a fulfillment of a campaign promise, potentially countering accusations of being manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. For Xi, who faces domestic economic challenges, securing Lai's freedom could offer a gesture of goodwill on the international stage.

During a previous meeting in Beijing, Xi reportedly told Trump that releasing Lai would be difficult. However, critics argue that as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, Xi's influence over Lai's fate is absolute, and his freedom hinges on Xi's willingness.

The author, Arthur Liu, an attorney and father of Olympic figure skating gold medalist Alysa Liu, draws a parallel between his daughter's freedom of expression and struggle in the world of sports, and Lai's fight for freedom of speech and the press in Hong Kong. Arthur Liu, who escaped China after participating in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, views Lai's continued advocacy as a continuation of that struggle.

As Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for the state visit, Lai remains imprisoned. The author emphasizes that while diplomatic summits produce temporary agreements, the fate of an individual like Jimmy Lai represents a more enduring moral question. The responsibility for Lai's release, ultimately, rests with Xi Jinping.