Jimmy Lai's Son Spreads False Claims in the UK that his father was not allowed to receive Holy Communion in prison, despite clarifications from Lai's legal team

Sebastien Lai, the son of Next Media founder Jimmy Lai, recently visited the UK to meet with British officials, hoping the British Foreign Secretary would raise his father's case during an upcoming visit to China.

At a Reporters Without Borders event in London on Friday, October 11, Lai revealed that British Foreign Secretary David Lammy had not met with him. Instead, he only met with Catherine West, the UK's Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, on Tuesday.

According to a Reuters report from Wednesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to visit China next week in an effort to reset diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher, the British barrister leading Jimmy Lai’s so-called "overseas legal team," stated that the British government should negotiate for Lai's release as part of any effort to re-establish UK-China relations.

However, many believe that if the British government were to condition the resumption of relations on Lai's release, no progress would be made. It is speculated that while Lammy may raise Jimmy Lai’s case during his visit to China, it would be more of a procedural mention, without any serious expectation of resolution.

In an interview with Voice of America, Sebastien Lai expressed his frustration, calling his father's solitary confinement "a form of mental torture." He highlighted that his father had been held in solitary confinement for nearly four years and had not received Holy Communion, which was particularly distressing given his father's strong religious faith.

The rumour that Jimmy Lai was being denied the right to receive Holy Communion originated from organizations closely linked to Lai, such as "Hong Kong Watch," as well as his "overseas legal team." They had publicly claimed that Lai's rights were being violated during his solitary confinement, and that he had been deprived of religious sacraments. This narrative was even escalated to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, creating what was portrayed as a "prisoner abuse scandal" in Hong Kong.

Upon further investigation, it became clear that the situation had been misrepresented. Jimmy Lai had voluntarily requested solitary confinement, and he had personally chosen not to receive Holy Communion. When asked, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) confirmed that Lai had made these requests.

When approached for clarification, the CSD stated that it had handled Lai’s detention in accordance with the Prisons Ordinance and related laws. It confirmed that if a prisoner requests solitary confinement for their own protection, and the management deems it necessary for maintaining order or for the prisoner’s well-being, such arrangements would be made. Furthermore, the CSD explained that prisoners who wish to participate in religious services, including receiving Holy Communion, can do so through arrangements with prison chaplains. However, if a prisoner chooses not to receive Holy Communion, the CSD will respect their decision.

In Lai's case, the CSD confirmed that he had indeed requested solitary confinement and had chosen not to receive Holy Communion.

After these revelations, the law firm Robertsons, which represents Jimmy Lai in his national security case, issued a statement clarifying that Lai was receiving proper treatment in prison. The statement further noted that Lai was aware of his right to receive Holy Communion through arrangements with the CSD, but had not made such a request due to the logistical challenges of having a priest conduct a private Mass.

The law firm’s statement reiterated that Lai had not been mistreated and that he had not requested Holy Communion.

Despite these clarifications, Sebastien Lai and organizations like "Hong Kong Watch" continue to spread false claims in the UK, alleging that Lai is being denied Holy Communion as a form of mental torture. This narrative was prominently featured in Voice of America’s reporting.

Commentators have pointed out that Robertsons, representing Lai in Hong Kong, had to issue this clarification to avoid accusations of defamation, as knowingly spreading false information could not only harm Lai’s reputation but also negatively impact his ongoing legal battles. In distancing himself from these exaggerated claims, Jimmy Lai has effectively disavowed the false allegations being spread on his behalf.

Nevertheless, Lai's son and groups like "Hong Kong Watch" continue to promote the narrative that Lai is being forcibly held in solitary confinement and denied religious sacraments, perpetuating the image of prisoner abuse in Hong Kong. The continued dissemination of this false information by Voice of America has raised concerns over journalistic integrity and ethics.

Ariel

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Trump just rolled out another tariff threat, and this time Iran's trading partners are in his crosshairs. On January 12, the US president announced a blanket 25% tariff on any country "doing business" with Tehran.

The international press immediately fixated on China—Iran's biggest trade partner. Reuters warned this could reignite the US–China trade war and shred the fragile truce both sides hammered out last year. But Chinese scholars aren't buying it. They say Trump lacks the nerve to slap Beijing with new tariffs, because China will hit back hard—and make him regret it.

Anti-government protests erupt in Iran. (AP photo)

The Financial Times reported on January 12 that these tariffs—which took effect immediately—could slam China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, the UAE, Brazil, and Iraq. All of them trade heavily with Iran. Russia sealed a new free trade deal with Iran in 2025, making it another potential target.

CNN pointed out the stakes for Beijing. China trades with both Iran and the US, so if Washington applies these tariffs, Chinese goods entering America could see costs spike. The network recalled that after last year's summit in Busan, South Korea, the Chinese and US presidents agreed to pause portions of their tariff war—a temporary truce.

Iran as Flashpoint, Again

Reuters published a piece on January 13 titled "Trump's Iran Tariff Threat Risks Reopening China Rift." The article traced how Iran became a powder keg in US–China relations during Trump's first term (2017–2021).

Back then, Washington tightened sanctions on Tehran and blacklisted Huawei, accusing the Chinese telecom giant of selling tech to Iran. That led to the arrest of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada—triggering a diplomatic crisis and sending bilateral tensions through the roof.

Now Trump's targeting Iran again. If he follows through, total US tariffs on Chinese exports could exceed 70%—way higher than the rates both sides agreed to last October when they dialed down their trade fight.

It's still unclear which countries or entities Trump will actually target. He hasn't named China explicitly. But Reuters noted Trump has a track record of making bombastic statements that could upend US foreign policy—only to back off later.

US–China "truce" forged in Busan last year now at risk if Trump's Iran tariffs target Beijing. (AP file photo)

Beijing Calls Trump's Bluff

Wu Xinbo, Dean of Fudan University's School of International Relations, told Reuters that China sees through Trump's posturing. "China will call (Trump's) bluff. I can assure you that Trump has no guts to impose the extra 25% tariffs on China, and if he does, China will retaliate and he will be punished," said Wu.

Another Chinese scholar pushed back on the narrative that China and Iran are economically intertwined, noting that "China and Iran are not as close as in the public imagination".

China Customs data backs that up. Beijing has dramatically reduced imports from Iran in recent years. Through November last year, China imported just 2.9 billion USD worth of Iranian goods—a far cry from the 21 billion USD peak in 2018, during Trump's first presidency.

Some sources claim China's major oil companies stopped doing business with Iran in 2022. Yet China's purchases from Tehran still run into the billions, thanks to independent refiners handling shipments.

China as Convenient Scapegoat

Wang Jin, a researcher at Beijing's Dialogue Think Tank, told reporters that "China is just an excuse, a kind of disguise for the Trump administration, to impose new pressure (on) Iran."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Trump's tariff threat on January 13. She stated that China's position on tariffs is crystal clear: tariff wars produce no winners. Beijing will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.

Analysts warn that Trump's renewed attempt to cut Iran off from global trade could heighten worries about the Belt and Road Initiative. Iran serves as a strategic hub for Chinese goods heading to the Middle East.

This tariff gambit has cast doubt on Trump's planned April visit to China. Observers had expected him to seal a comprehensive trade deal with Beijing during that trip.

The Wall Street Journal echoed Reuters' concerns, warning that new tariffs on Iran's trading partners could wreck the US–China trade truce.

But Reuters also cited Xu Tianchen, a senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, who questioned whether Trump's tariff policy is even enforceable. "Last year he announced tariffs related to 'illicit' Russian oil trade, but their implementation was patchy." Xu said.

He went on stating that "Trump is also the kind of person who likes bullying the weak," Xu said. "He should manage his actions to avoid these tariffs escalating into direct confrontation with China".