Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old media tycoon from Hong Kong, found himself once again at the center of controversy as he faced court proceedings on January 16. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct tabloid Apple Daily, has been incarcerated since December 2020. He is one of the most notable figures to be prosecuted under Hong Kong's national security law. The charges against him relate to "seditious publications" and alleged collusion with foreign forces.
Lai's testimony on Thursday marked a significant moment in the ongoing legal saga. During the proceedings, he admitted to brokering meetings between former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and prominent American figures shortly after Donald Trump assumed the presidency in 2016. This revelation forms a critical part of the prosecutors' argument that Lai colluded with foreign powers. They presented messages in court purportedly showing Lai's support for a stronger U.S. military presence in Taiwan.
The courtroom heard that Lai had established a paid "consultancy" arrangement in 2017. This arrangement involved retired United States General Jack Keane and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, who met with Tsai Ing-wen. Prosecutor Anthony Chau suggested that this setup aimed to provide military advice to Taiwan.
"I suggest to you that the purpose of engaging (Keane and Wolfowitz) was to give advice to Taiwan for a military upgrade," – prosecutor Anthony Chau
Lai, however, defended his actions by emphasizing his personal connections with Keane and Wolfowitz. He claimed that their understanding of the Trump administration's stance on Taiwan was the primary reason for seeking their counsel.
"(Keane and Wolfowitz) were both my friends and they seemed to know about the (Trump) administration's sentiments and thinking toward Taiwan," – Lai
Lai's ties with American political figures extend beyond these meetings. In 2019, he met with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, which prosecutors argue further demonstrates his alleged foreign collusion. Despite these allegations, Lai has consistently championed democracy and freedom through his publication, Apple Daily, which was forced to close in 2021 following police raids and the arrests of senior editors.
Throughout his legal battles, Lai has refrained from testifying in any of his previous five cases, all resulting in convictions. This time, however, he chose to speak out, shedding light on his interactions with international figures.
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