The Jimmy Lai Chronicle – What the Court was Told (4): How Apple Daily Became Command Central for Hong Kong's 2019 Chaos

Two conspiracy charges for colluding with foreign forces. One sedition count. When the verdict came down against Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Police National Security Department Chief Superintendent Steve Li didn't mince words—Lai was a driving force behind the 2019 "black violence." But what does the court record actually show? The judgment lays it bare: a coordinated campaign using Apple Daily as a megaphone to flood the streets with protesters, glorify violence under the banner of "peaceful and valiant unity," and build what Lai called a "central command" to orchestrate the chaos.

According to the judgment, Lai viewed the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendment as a deliberate plot "to send anti-Communist figures like himself to the Chinese Mainland for trial." He framed it as a "vicious conspiracy" against Hong Kong's rule of law, human rights, and freedoms, declaring "everyone must stand up and resist." That's his narrative. What the court documented was something else: a systematic operation to weaponize a media empire.

The judgment shows that from early 2019, Lai monitored protest developments and foreign reactions—especially from the United States—with intense focus. As Apple Daily's helmsman, deeply embedded in the paper's operations, he turned the publication into a platform for his political agenda. The court found he deliberately aligned Apple Daily's news angles, editorials, and opinion pieces with his political stance. He handpicked contributors and greenlit their articles because, as the evidence shows, he wanted to keep the protest movement burning.

Mobilizing the Streets

The trial record and judgment reveal Lai started directing Apple Daily executives in April 2019 to use editorial coverage as a mobilization tool. He told Cheung Kim-hung, then Next Digital CEO, to interview Causeway Bay Books manager Lam Wing-kee to drum up turnout for the April 28 march. That same month, he messaged Cheung and Chan Pui-man, Apple Daily associate publisher at that time, pressing them to figure out how to get Hong Kong people onto the streets.

The judgment cites one exchange where Lai forwarded a message from former Apple Daily publisher Tung Chiao to Chan Pui-man. Tung had written: "Jimmy, your efforts have not been in vain! Cheers to the brave people of Hong Kong!" Lai replied: "Yes, cheers to the brave people of Hong Kong! Good! I'll tell Pui-man this is a good headline." He then relayed Tung's suggestion to Chan.

In June 2019, Lai talked about finding anti-extradition bill "petition students" to interview, aiming to inspire young people to stand up on June 9. An estimated over one million people participated in that protest. Both Lai and his associates were thrilled with the turnout.

Cheung Kim-hung's testimony also revealed that between June 13-14, 2019, ahead of the "June 16 march," Lai said pan-democrats wanted to print 100,000 banners with "Anti-Extradition" and "Three Strikes" to distribute to protesters for window displays, promoting the resistance. Cheung coordinated with then-Chief Operating Officer Wong Wai-keung to produce the banners. Lai was satisfied with the results, though the banners ultimately weren't distributed after the extradition bill suspension was announced and protester suicide incidents occurred.

Manufacturing the Narrative

The judgment also noted that on June 15, 2019, Apple Daily included a special supplement titled "Defying Authority in June" with the newspaper—a photo collection from anti-extradition bill protest scenes, summarizing the two major June marches. Chan Pui-man testified that "defying authority" meant opposing those in power and opposing the government.

Even after the extradition bill suspension was announced, Lai believed it might return. He instructed that actions should intensify to "prepare for the trick's arrival." The next day, Apple Daily's front page declared: "Evil Law Postponed But Not Withdrawn – Carrie Lam Stalls Before March –Take to Streets Tomorrow." Chan testified that the headline adopted Lai's view that the government was merely employing a "delaying tactic." On July 1, Apple Daily's front page ran: "Evil Law Not Withdrawn – Carrie Lam Not Stepped Down – Take to Streets Again Today."

The day after protesters stormed the Legislative Council building, Lai gave instructions to Chan Pui-man about focusing on young people's voices to "seek citizens' understanding and support" and minimize the incident's negative impact.

The judgment also mentioned that on July 25, 2019, Apple Daily's electronic edition reported on former Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho's program "Inside Zhongnanhai," in which he interviewed Lai about his US trip. After the program ended, Lai called Cheung Kim-hung, saying he had mentioned meeting with then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and calling for US support for the anti-extradition movement in the program, instructing Cheung to "make it bigger." Cheung testified that Lai had privately mentioned sanctions to him.

Publishing Violence Without Question

Cheung Kim-hung's testimony revealed that after Lai's US visit, Apple Daily's editorial policy on anti-extradition bill protests became more radical. Lai pushed the "unity of peaceful and valiant" line, insisting that the "peaceful" and "valiant" camps must unite to succeed. He also said to "publish regardless" of radical protesters' violent acts, reporting and commenting from an angle sympathetic to and supportive of protesters, with resistance conducted long-term. Cheung conveyed Lai's views to Apple Daily executives at "lunch box meetings," blaming the deteriorating social conditions on the SAR government and the Communist regime.

Subsequently, many Apple Daily reports aligned with Lai's "editorial policy." The September 30 headline read "Bullets Wildly Bombarding Hong Kong Island – Hundreds Injured and Arrested – Crazy Police Violence Welcomes October 1." October 7: "Mask Ban Ignites Fury – Citywide Resistance Continues." October 9: "Peaceful and Valiant – The Regime – Forces Our Evolution." November 15: "Dragon-Slaying Squad's Marginal Call – Whole Population Goes Valiant with Three Strikes," with reporters interviewing four "Dragon-Slaying Squad" members with positive descriptions. October 18: "Society Special: Save Our Own Brothers Ourselves," calling on protesters to unite to rescue comrades arrested by police.

On January 5, 2020, Lai published a column titled "2020 – Peaceful and Valiant Continue to Stand Together." He testified that on January 1, 2020, he participated in protest activities with Martin Lee and others, stating he agreed with demonstrators who shouted slogans like "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" and "Black Police and Their Families Go Die." He also praised an underage girl who "swore at police" as "sharp" and said "with such young people we can't lose," though he expressed regret for these remarks in court.

Building Financial Support Infrastructure

The judgment also mentioned several Apple Daily actions in 2019 supporting young people taking to the streets. On November 19, 2019, Apple Daily published a full-page advertisement for a "Student Support Subscription Plan" with the words "Support Students, Oppose Tyranny," calling on readers to donate HK$300 for each student aged 10-20 so students could receive a free one-year Apple Daily subscription.

Lai also instructed Apple Daily's advertising department to publish classified ads for "supporting small shops" because there was support for the "Yellow Economic Circle" at the time. Apple Daily allowed yellow shops to place classified ads for free.

There was also the "One Hongkonger, One Letter to Save Hong Kong" campaign. On May 22, 2020, Lai had Apple Daily launch "One Hongkonger, One Letter to Save Hong Kong," urging Hong Kong people to send letters to then-US President Donald Trump through Twitter, Facebook and other channels, calling for the US to "intervene" in the National Security Law legislation. Apple Daily subsequently promoted it with front-page coverage three times, attaching sample petition letters. Cheung testified that Lai hoped the US would impose sanctions or other measures on the Communist Party to save Hong Kong.

Direct Funding of Protest Activities

The judgment also covered Apple Daily's financial support for anti-extradition bill protests. Cheung testified that Lai proposed that between July 1 and September 1, 2019, readers who paid a HK$3 fee on Apple Daily's website would have HK$1 go toward a fund subsidizing protesters' future medical expenses and legal costs, hoping to support protesters and anti-extradition figures subscribing to Apple Daily. On July 5, Cheung reported to Lai: "Boss, as of 2am today, the total number of Apple Daily paid members has exceeded 300,000!" and "The upgraded membership of Next Animation Studio under Next Digital has also exceeded 300,000!"

Furthermore, Jimmy Lai's interactions with members of the "Glory to Hong Kong Team" (also called the "Burn with Us Team") were connected to the anti-extradition protests. The judgment noted that Lai's first two meetings with Andy Chan were driven by hopes that Chan could help him contact leaders of the "valiant" camp and establish a dialogue mechanism, as he worried that violent protests would lose international support, especially from the United States. However, at their third meeting, Andy Chan had clearly told Lai that he could not contact "valiant" leaders, yet Lai continued maintaining contact with Chan. His purpose was no longer merely to pacify the valiant camp, but to promote the Glory to Hong Kong Team's international lobbying plan.

Jimmy Lai admitted that before that meeting with Andy Chan, he had already obtained information about the "valiant" camp from HKU student Sunny Cheung, yet Lai claimed he still believed Andy Chan could pacify the "valiant camp." The court found Lai's testimony completely illogical. Lai believed protesters fell into two categories: peaceful demonstrators like himself, and so-called "valiant" violent protesters standing at the forefront of resistance. However, Lai believed that even among valiant protesters there were peace-loving individuals, with Andy Chan being a more conservative member. What's puzzling is this: if Andy Chan was a peaceful protester, how could he pacify violent protesters? It's hard to believe.

The Central Command Plan

The judgment also stated that on November 15, 2019, Apple Daily interviewed members of the "Dragon-Slaying Squad" and published the report, but Lai made no attempt to obtain their contact information through Apple Daily. The court questioned why Lai didn't use Apple Daily's own channels if his purpose was to pacify radical protesters.

Additionally, Lai's communications with Andy Chan revealed Lai's idea of building a protest "central command." Chan's testimony stated that Lai had said things young people couldn't accomplish, he could achieve through media power. He believed pan-democrats possessed sufficient local resources and international standing to secure government responses. At the time, Lai believed violent incidents would cause Hong Kong to lose international support, so he proposed a "purification plan"—contacting "valiant" leaders to make them exercise restraint. Simultaneously, Lai wanted to establish a "central command" that could bridge the "peaceful, rational and non-violent" and the "valiant" camps, with Lai wanting to lead this "central command."

Subsequently, after the District Council elections, on November 25, 2019, Lai sent a message to Andy Chan saying "What a beautiful day! We should consider the next step." Andy Chan testified that at the time, Lai believed they could combine the forces of the streets, Legislative Council and international community to maintain enthusiasm for the anti-extradition movement and force the government to respond to demands.

Bankrolling International Propaganda

Regarding international publicity for the anti-extradition protests, Jimmy Lai's funding of multiple newspaper advertisement campaigns between June 2019 and May 2020 through his assistant Mark Simon warrants attention—including "G20," "Sino-British Joint Declaration," and "G20 X Burn with Us Team."

Lai, through Mark Simon, told Andy Chan he was willing to advance HK$5 million for global newspaper ads. In the "G20" newspaper advertisement plan alone, Andy Chan coordinated invoices and receipts, with HK$1.5 million in advertising fees advanced by Lai's company. Andy Chan also organized various street booths and exhibitions, co-organizing a "Newspaper Exhibition" with Lee Yu-hin in Hong Kong, which also received funding from Lai and Mark Simon.

In summary, Lai used Apple Daily as a platform to call on the public to take to the streets supporting anti-extradition bill protests, reporting with "sympathy" for violent acts while emphasizing "unity of peaceful and valiant" to sustain long-term resistance. He also wanted to establish a "central command" bridging the "peaceful, rational and non-violent" and the "valiant" camps.

Meanwhile, Lai financially supported the anti-extradition movement, calling on readers to pay a HK$3 fee on Apple Daily's website with HK$1 going to a fund subsidizing protesters' medical expenses and legal costs. He also advanced HK$5 million to the "Burn with Us Team" to launch global newspaper advertisement campaigns promoting anti-extradition bill protests.

Law ABC

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Conspiracy to publish seditious publications. Conspiracy to collude with foreign forces – twice. Those are the charges that just landed Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, twenty years behind bars, the highest sentence under Hong Kong's National Security Law so far. That makes Lai the first defendant convicted for colluding with foreign forces, and the punishment is the heaviest handed down since the law took effect in 2020.

Article 29 of the National Security Law sets the baseline at three to 10 years for collusion offenses. But for "serious cases," the ceiling shoots up – either life imprisonment or a fixed term of at least 10 years.

To determine whether Lai's actions qualified as a "serious case," the court turned to precedent. The sentencing guidelines from the Court of Final Appeal's ruling in HKSAR v. Lui Sai Yu served as the framework. Judges also examined HKSAR v. Ma Chun-man and adjusted the approach based on the specific circumstances surrounding Lai's offenses.

Status Drives Sentence Higher

The court determined that Lai was the "mastermind" and "driving force" behind the conspiracies. That designation carried weight at sentencing. For the seditious publications charge, judges bumped the starting point from 21 months to 23. For each of the two collusion charges, they added three years to the original 15-year baseline, pushing it to 18 years.

But the court did acknowledge reality. Lai is old – 78 years old, to be exact. Taking account of his health and that he's held in solitary confinement, which makes prison conditions harsher than for typical inmates, judges shaved one month off the seditious publications term and one year off each collusion charge. The final tally: 20 years total.

Consider the comparison to Benny Tai, the legal scholar convicted in the "35+" subversion case. The court labeled Tai the mastermind behind the unauthorized primary election scheme – the organizer who pushed the "10 steps to mutual destruction" plan that amounted to advocating revolution. His starting point was 15 years. Because he pleaded guilty, Tai received a one-third reduction, bringing his sentence to 10 years. That made him the most heavily punished of the 45 defendants convicted in that sprawling case.

No Plea Deal, No Mercy

Lai chose a different path. He didn't plead guilty. That meant no sentence reduction – and judges actually added time. The judgment revealed the court's view: Lai harboured deep resentment toward China for years. Whether before or after the National Security Law took effect, his singular goal was bringing down the Chinese Communist Party, even if it meant sacrificing the interests of Hong Kong people. Today's sentencing remarks emphasized that Lai, as the mastermind, acted with careful planning and premeditation.

The math is brutal. National Security Law convicts don't qualify for the standard one-third remission of sentence. At 78, Lai could remain locked up until he's 98.

Three former Apple Daily senior executives caught up in the same case fared differently. Former editor-in-chief Law Wai Kwong, former executive editor-in-chief Lam Man  Chung, and former lead editorial writer and English edition executive editor Fung Wai Kong each pleaded guilty. They received 10 years each – the same term as Benny Tai.

The reality is, that 10-year term represents the statutory minimum. Judges classified their offenses as "serious" too, but credited their guilty pleas with a one-third reduction. Since they didn't testify or assist prosecutors beyond admitting guilt, that was all the leniency they got.

Four Years of Enforcement History

The Hong Kong National Security Law came into force on June 30, 2020, targeting four main categories of offenses: secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces – the last being what authorities charged Lai with.

Since the law took effect, Hong Kong has seen several high-profile prosecutions. The first came quickly: Tong Ying-kit's case. On July 1, 2020 – just hours after the law became operational – Tong rode a motorcycle bearing a "Liberate Hong Kong" flag straight into a police cordon in Wan Chai, injuring three officers. He was convicted of inciting secession and committing terrorist activities, drawing a nine-year sentence. The court set 6.5 years as the starting point for incitement and eight years for terrorism, with portions running concurrently.

Then there was the "Returning Valiant" group case, which involved a genuine bomb plot. Members planned to plant explosives at the Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts and in cross-harbour tunnels. The ringleader, Ho Yu-wang, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit terrorist activities. Six others admitted to an alternative charge of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life or property. Three landed in detention centres; the remaining three received prison terms ranging from 2.5 to 6 years.

The "Alliance" case is still working its way through the courts. The now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China faces charges along with its former leaders. Former chair Lee Cheuk-yan, vice-chair Albert Ho Chun-yan, and standing committee member Chow Hang-tung are accused of inciting others to subvert state power. Ho has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. The other defendants are fighting the charges.