Jimmy Lai denies saying his arrest will be seen as suppression of media in Hong Kong

Former Hong Kong media owner Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is expected to explain his views on sanctions and international support raised in his commentary articles and communications with staff members of the now-defunct Apple Daily as the high-profile trial resumes on Thursday.

The 77-year-old has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the security law and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in breach of colonial-era legislation.

Wednesday’s hearing saw two interviews of Lai being examined, with the first organised by the Hoover Institution American think tank on June 10, 2020, and the latter hosted by Washington-funded Radio Free Asia two days prior.

Lai told the court on Wednesday that he had abandoned his fight for Hong Kong’s freedom after the Beijing-imposed national security law came into force in June 2020, as the city became “beyond redemption” then.

Any punitive measures by foreign governments, such as revoking the city’s special trading status with the United States under the US-Hong Kong Policy Act, would be “meaningless” as well, according to Lai.

The afternoon session was briefly interrupted by a woman applauding in the public gallery after Lai’s video interview with Radio Free Asia was shown.