Dear President Trump,
We Hong Kongers are shocked to learn that you, of all people, would claim to raise the subject of releasing Jimmy Lai during your much anticipated China visit. Jimmy Lai is not a champion of media freedom but a disgraced fake news propagator and convicted criminal. People around the world know you as a champion against fake news media and their malicious influence in politics. Therefore, we implore you to see through the lies and tricks of biased politicians and the media they control, so that you may form a well-informed judgment on this matter.
Since 2016, you have endured relentless attacks from fake news outlets backed by your political opponents. You have repeatedly called out The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN as dishonest, corrupt, and phony. As you said last year: “I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean ‘THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.’ They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it.” No one understands better than you the damage fake news has done to America’s national security, social trust, and public well-being. You have been deeply hurt by misinformation, smeared by untruthful journalism, and seen your country’s security threatened by these media outlets. We firmly sympathize with you.
Yet, you have been profoundly misinformed about Jimmy Lai. The man you pleaded for is the mastermind behind decades of fake news and malicious political influence in Hong Kong. What he has done here dwarfs even the actions of outlets like CNN in the United States. His media group Next Digital and his newspaper Apple Daily spent years spreading vulgar misinformation, inciting hatred among Hong Kong people toward Hong Kong government and China’s central government, and advocating for international sanctions against China. His influence was directly behind the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong, where misled citizens were instigated to join violent insurrections—like how Antifa terrorists, supported by radical left-wing media, have terrorized American cities. Lai and his media puppets notoriously churned out lies that Hong Kong’s police force has killed demonstrators, when it was masked rioters who used violence on both law enforcement officers and civilians. It was our city’s great misfortune that many peaceful folks were incited by Lai’s lies and participated in riots, many of them would later regret their mistakes.
As made clear by court rulings, Jimmy Lai has always used his media outlets as political tools, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing China’s central government. By plunging Hong Kong into chaos, he expected US and other Western countries to intervene and help him achieve his goal. For years, Jimmy Lai has tried to drag the United States into a direct and prolonged confrontation with China over Hong Kong, which would severely harm the interests of American investors in Asia. All these outrageous crimes just to realize his own twisted political ambitions. Lai’s actions have gone way beyond the scopes of freedom of expression, and have done tremendous damage to China’s national security, productive US-China relationship, and world peace.
As you can see, Jimmy Lai is no champion of media freedom or human rights. He is a dangerous demagogue who manipulates fake news to destabilize his country. His actions, in your own words, are “insidious” and “treasonous.” Imagine if someone in America openly sought support from another country to overthrow the U.S. constitution—surely neither you nor the American justice system would let them walk free.
Jimmy Lai’s trial was conducted over 150 days, with both prosecution and defense given full opportunity to present their cases. The judicial process was sound, transparent, and met all common law standards. The evidence against him, as detailed in the verdict, is irrefutable. Western media’s misinformation about his so-called “poor health” has also been debunked by his fine appearance in court.
Jimmy Lai’s trial marks a milestone in the global fight against fake news and its malicious political influence. As perpetrators like Lai are brought to justice, we can look forward to a healthier media environment—one purged of rampant misinformation, where journalism returns to its impartial roots. Hong Kong’s court has waged the same righteous battle against fake news as you had in America. Surely, you of all people understand that releasing a convicted criminal would undermine the rule of law.
Dear President Trump, we earnestly urge you to recognize Jimmy Lai for who he truly is and to refrain from further pleas on behalf of this convicted criminal and insurrectionist. The United States and China can achieve great things together. Respecting Hong Kong’s judicial independence and China’s sovereignty would be a positive step toward that future. We trust you to do the right thing as you head to China for a historic summit.
Yours sincerely,
James Chan
InsightSpeak
** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **
Author: Member of the Legislative Council, Dr. Lee Hoey Simon
Under the joint initiative of Legislative Council Members Hon Maggie Chan Man-ki, Dr Hon Thomas So Shiu-tsung, Hon Wu Yingpeng, Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, law students from Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University in Nepal recently came to Hong Kong to participate in the annual International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition, and jointly organized the "A Young Chat of the Rule of Law and Social Development of Nepel since the BRI". Dr Bindeswar Prasad Lekhak, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR, attended the seminar. The event was supported by Regal Hotels Group, China Resources Group, Tseng Hin Pei Charity Fund Limited, and Basic Law Foundation, among other organizations.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee has gathered with young law students from BRI country in Hong Kong. This year, for the first time, the exchange was jointly organized with multiple Legislative Council Members, and for the first time, the Nepalese Consul-General in Hong Kong attended.
In his opening remarks, Dr Lekhak, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR, emphasized the long-standing and robust friendship between Nepal and China, reaffirming Nepal's steadfast commitment in upholding the one-China principle. Dr Lekhak pointed out that China is Nepal's second-largest trading partner, with close ties spanning trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism. Since Nepal participated in the BRI in 2017, collaborative projects have expanded across various sectors—including urban development, infrastructure, education, health, sports, and energy—providing significant opportunities for Nepal’s development. Nepal has a favorable investment environment and welcomes all sectors in Hong Kong to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Nepal.
During the seminar, the Nepalese law students shared profound insights into the positive changes the BRI has brought to their region, specifically discussing its tangible impact on improving local livelihoods and advancing the rule of law. They pointed out that during the pandemic, the BRI framework facilitated vaccine and medical assistance to Nepal, playing a significant role in humanitarian relief. In the long term, they have a positive vision for the BRI’s promotion of cross-border connectivity, bringing medical services, economic opportunities, trade efficiency, and cultural preservation to benefit local communities.
Local Hong Kong young leaders also participated in the exchange, engaging in in-depth discussions on how the BRI promotes the rule of law in Nepal, with particular focus on the critical role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and arbitration, in promoting regional legal cooperation. This exchange fostered mutual learning and deepened understanding and recognition, served as a vital communication bridge for young leaders from different cultural backgrounds.
To showcase their heritage, the Nepalese students presented traditional souvenirs, including Dhaka topi, handmade yak milk soaps, and traditional instruments singing bowls. The venue was also decorated with BRI-themed exhibition installations, enable attendees to experience the cultural charm of Nepal firsthand and further strengthening their friendship.
Legislative Councillor Dr Simon Lee and Consul-General Dr Lekhak (left) exchanged views at the Hong Kong Legislative Council
Legislative Councillor Dr Simon Lee and Consul-General Dr Lekhak (front row right) exchanged views with law students from two Nepalese universities at the Hong Kong Legislative Council
Councillor Dr Simon Lee presents Legislative Council souvenirs prepared for Consul-General Dr Lekhak (second from right)
China Resources Group Senior Group Legal Counsel Johnny Ip Chun-yuen (fifth from left), Tseng Hin Pei Charity Fund Limited Representative Riley Tseng Fanwei (sixth from left), Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR Dr Bindeswar Prasad Lekhak (eight from left), Legislative Council Member Hon Maggie Chan Man-ki, Member of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Maritime and Commercial Mediation Center Tan Guojian (tenth from left), pose for a group photo with law students from two Nepalese universities at the Hong Kong LegCo
Tseng Hin Pei Charity Fund Limited Representative Riley Tseng Fanwei (first from left), Legislative Council Member Hon Maggie Chan Man-ki, Consul-General of Nepal to HKSAR Dr Bindeswar Prasad Lekhak (third from left), Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, China Resources Group Senior Group Legal Counsel Johnny Ip Chun-yuen (fifth from left) pose for a group photo wearing traditional Nepalese Dhaka topi
Kathmandu University law student representatives deliver presentation
Tribhuvan University law student representatives deliver presentation
Tribhuvan University law student representative assists Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee to wear the traditional Nepalese Dhaka topi
Tribhuvan University law student representatives present souvenirs to Legislative Council Member Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee
Legislative Council Members Dr Hon Thomas So Shiu-tsung, Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, Hon Wu Yingpeng pose for a group photo wearing traditional Nepalese Dhaka topi
Legislative Council Members Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee, Hon Wu Yingpeng, Dr Hon Thomas So Shiu-tsung pose for a group photo with law students from two Nepalese universities wearing traditional Nepalese Dhaka topi
