More than 100 bipartisan members of the US Congress have requested President Donald Trump to ask Chinese President Xi Jinping for the release of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist. Lai, aged 78, is facing a 20-year prison term under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, which essentially means life imprisonment, as stated in a letter led by Representative Chris Smith and Senator Rick Scott.
The lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and others from both parties, emphasized the urgency of Lai’s situation due to his deteriorating health. Lai, the founder of Apple Daily newspaper, has become a prominent figure in Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.
Representative Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, highlighted the critical need for Trump to directly address Xi regarding Lai’s case during their upcoming meeting. The letter stressed Lai’s declining health in custody and the risks associated with prolonged isolation and inadequate prison conditions.
The lawmakers urged Trump to push for Lai’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the necessity for appropriate medical care and reuniting him with his family. Smith, a vocal advocate for Lai’s freedom, sees this as a rare opportunity for Trump to intervene and seek justice for the ailing activist.
