Ask Onix
Hong Kong media tycoon sentenced to 20 years under security law
Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old British citizen and founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, received a 20-year prison term on Monday for national security offences, the harshest penalty imposed under Hong Kong's controversial legislation.
Son denounces punishment as inhumane
Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai's son, told the BBC the sentence amounted to a "death sentence" given his father's deteriorating health. "Given his heart issues and the 10 kg he has lost in the past year, this is effectively a death sentence," he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"Surely a man who has given so much for liberty, for freedom deserves a bit of it himself."
Sebastien Lai
Western governments condemn verdict
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper demanded Lai's immediate release on humanitarian grounds, stating, "We stand with the people of Hong Kong." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the sentence "an unjust and tragic conclusion," urging authorities to grant Lai "humanitarian parole."
China's foreign ministry defended the ruling as "reasonable, legitimate and legal," dismissing international criticism.
Background: National security law and dissent
Beijing imposed the national security law (NSL) in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests. The legislation criminalises acts deemed secessionist, subversive, or colluding with foreign forces, and permits trials in mainland China.
Lai was convicted of foreign collusion and sedition for using Apple Daily to lobby foreign governments to sanction Hong Kong and China. He has been held in solitary confinement for five years.
UK-China relations amid diplomatic tensions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raised Lai's case during a recent Beijing visit, framing it as part of "mature discussions" on disagreements. Former UK foreign secretary David Cameron termed the imprisonment "an affront to freedom of speech," while shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel criticised the government's failure to secure Lai's release.
Sebastien Lai questioned the UK's diplomatic approach, suggesting his father's case presented an "easy" opportunity to improve relations: "Isn't putting a 78-year-old man on a plane and sending him back here a very easy way for Hong Kong and China to do that?"
Trade agreements overshadow human rights
During Starmer's visit, Beijing agreed to visa-free travel for UK citizens and reduced tariffs on UK whisky from 10% to 5%, as part of efforts to strengthen economic ties.
