President Xi Jinping sat down with US President Trump for a roughly 100-minute chat in Busan, South Korea. Before things kicked off, Trump wasted no time calling President Xi his "friend," hailing him as "very distinguished and respected president", and "a great leader of a great country." As they shook hands, Trump added, "This meeting will definitely be very successful." When it wrapped up, Trump even walked President Xi to his car himself, a clear nod to the solid rapport between them.
Trump described the meeting with President Xi Jinping as very successful and amazing. AP photo
All in all, Trump reeled off the key wins from the Chinese side across the board—think chip agreements, TikTok deals, and pausing port fees—but he skipped right over the politically charged topics that had been buzzing beforehand between the US and China, like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Taiwan, or even the "Jimmy Lai issue."
The two interacted amicably. CCTV screenshot
Ahead of this, over 30 US senators from both parties had teamed up to push Trump to bring up freeing Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai with Xi Jinping. On October 24, right before boarding Air Force One, Trump fielded a question on it and shot back: "It's on my list, I'm going to ask"—sparking expectations that the Jimmy Lai case would hit the agenda at the "Xi-Trump summit”.
Playing the Long Game with China
But the second Trump rolled up to the venue, he jumped right on President Xi's wavelength—pushing both sides to keep their eyes on the big-picture wins from teaming up, rather than getting dragged into that endless loop of slap-for-slap payback. No surprise, then, that he dodged every hot-button topic sure to ruffle Chinese feathers.
After the meeting ended, Trump personally escorted President Xi to his car. CCTV screenshot
Trump’s laser-focused on those blockbuster economic and trade deals with China. Sure, he'd tossed out mentions of Jimmy Lai now and then before, but it looked like mere leverage against the Chinese side—no real fight in him for the cause. It leaves folks thinking Jimmy Lai got treated just like those in his camp claim: a "condom," as in "used and tossed."
Trump's classic move: talk a big game but deliver zilch. Since jumping back into the race for his second term, he's dropped lines about "saving Lai" left and right, but naturally, it all fizzled out—nothing trumps America's real interests.
Take the Taiwan question, for instance: Just days ago, when pressed on whether he'd chat Taiwan with Xi Jinping, Trump quipped, "There’s not that much to ask about—Taiwan is Taiwan." Taiwan was buzzing with hope back then, but the outcome? You can guess.
Ariel
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.
But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.
No Case for Sympathy
The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.
The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.
He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.
Minor Ailments, Maximum Care
In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.
The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.
The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.
Judge Draws the Line
Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.
The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.
Isolation by Choice
On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.
The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.
