The Hong Kong High Court’s sentencing of 78-year-old British businessman Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison is an egregious injustice against a man who has long advocated for fundamental freedom in China and Hong Kong.
Democratic governments, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, should continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release and – more importantly now – work together to increase pressure on the Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong government.
Lai was sentenced for one count of conspiracy to produce seditious material related to his ownership of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, and two additional counts for allegedly colluding with foreign forces. The latter “crime” is a direct reference to meetings with American officials, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The judge accused Lai of masterminding American sanctions against China.
Importantly, Lai’s case is about much more than one courageous individual. It’s about Beijing’s broader campaign to expand its power without contestation, shift global norms away from global freedom and show that it can silence democracy defenders around the world. The Chinese Communist Party is seeking to silence not only this courageous activist, but also to send a chill through the Hong Kong, Chinese, and – indeed – global community of democracy supporters.
The Apple Daily, which Lai founded in 1995, reported regularly on the Communist Party’s repression as well as democracy activism in Hong Kong and mainland China. It was forced to cease operation in the aftermath of the draconian 2020 Hong Kong national security law, implemented to silence those protesting Chinese repression and to curtail Hong Kong’s free and open society. Lai also founded a major media company, Next Digital. Its assets were also frozen, and it was also forced to close in 2021.
Lai’s media platforms and activism have been emblematic of freedom of speech and the press, two foundational freedoms consistent with American values and international standards. Targeting him for these actions is consistent with China’s pushback on global freedoms.
His case is about justice for one individual who – by international standards – is clearly innocent. But it is also a case of humanitarian concern. At 78 years of age and facing health issues, a 20-year prison term is quite likely a death sentence. Beijing knows this and bears responsibility for the fate of this man.
Hong Kong long enjoyed significant freedom and a thriving business culture. The island was “handed over” to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 following 156 years of British colonial rule with an explicit understanding that Hong Kong could continue to exist as a free and capitalist territory. China promised to uphold a “one country, two systems” approach to Hong Kong.
But earlier this decade, the Chinese Communist Party significantly ramped up its crackdown on civil society and increased its support for Communist Party-aligned Hong Kong leaders, strangling the existing democratic culture and vibrant business community. Global democracy watchdog Freedom House tracked the decline in Hong Kong’s democracy rating: On a 100-point scale, it fell to 40 points in 2025 from 52 in 2020 and 61 in 2017.
The Chinese Communist Party’s crackdowns in Hong Kong are on par with its increasing repression of many communities in mainland China and beyond. Targets of consistent repression have included the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, and others whom the party deems as a threat to its power.
The United States, UK, and United Nations have issued statements condemning the sentence and should be applauded for the quick response. More action is needed.
The UK and United States should immediately align travel restrictions on Hong Kong judges and officials responsible for sentencing Lai and expand sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese government officials, tying these directly to the release of Lai and other activists.
For each nation, this is not only about the freedom of this courageous activist, but also China’s direct affront on democratic values and its expansion of power. Both the UK and United States have had significant engagement with China. Following 18 months of increased cooperation between Beijing and London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China on Jan. 29, marking a notable step forward in UK-Chinese bilateral relations.
The Chinese Communist Party agreed to allow Britons to travel to China visa-free for 30 days, an almost sinister offer just days before Hong Kong sentenced British citizen Lai to this unjust punishment, triggering British diplomatic efforts to protect their national.
American President Donald Trump spoke with his Chinese counterpart on Feb. 4 and is preparing for an April trip to Beijing. If both the United States and UK continue these bilateral conversations and cooperation without making progress on Lai’s case, it will give the Chinese Communist Party a green light to continue to repress democracy activists, including American and British citizens.
Jimmy Lai deserves to be free and reunited with his family. His liberty is important both for this innocent man and the struggle for global freedom.
As Lai’s son, Sebastian Lai stated following his father’s sentencing, this is not only an issue concerning national security and humanitarian treatment, one “where our values are being locked up” along with his father.
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