Washington– the Jimmy Lai’s childrenA former pro-democracy Hong Kong media mogul and critic of China said Monday that a possible visit by President Donald Trump… Trump to Beijing in April It could be “crucial” in securing the release of their 78-year-old father.
Lai’s son and daughter demanded their father’s release on humanitarian grounds in a Hong Kong court on Monday He was sentenced to 20 years in prison Following convictions under a national security law imposed by Beijing that has effectively silenced dissent in the city.
“The president has said several times that this is an issue he cares about,” Sebastian Lay said of Trump during a call with reporters. He added: “We are in a situation where the April visit, more clearly, will be crucial, and we hope that my father will remain well in terms of health until that moment.”
Speaking about his father, the younger Lai said: “This is a man who, unfortunately, is on the verge of death. He is a man who has gone through tremendous stages. His body has deteriorated.”
The ruling in Hong Kong is sure to increase friction The already fragile relations between the United States and ChinaTrump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet this year to stabilize relations on thorny issues such as tariffs, export restrictions and sanctions. US arms sales to Taiwan An autonomous island that Beijing claims is Chinese territory.
While Trump has said several times that he will visit Beijing next April, China has not yet confirmed this.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the decision to sentence Lai to 20 years in prison “an unfair and tragic outcome of this case.” In a statement, Rubio urged the Chinese authorities to grant Lai conditional release on humanitarian grounds, noting that Lai and his family had “suffered enough” after a two-year trial and his detention for more than five years.
After Lai’s conviction in December, Trump said he felt “very bad” and had asked Xi to consider releasing Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, which was known for its critical reporting on the Hong Kong and Beijing governments.
His daughter, Claire Leigh, said about Trump’s chances of success in negotiating her father’s release: “We are optimistic, but we don’t know.”
Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s security minister, accused “external forces” of ignoring the facts and making biased criticism of the court’s decisions. “We will resolutely refute the baseless and smear allegations by presenting the truth and facts for everyone to see,” Tang said.
In an interview with the Associated Press in London, Sebastian Lai said the time has come World leaders continue to pressure Beijing When they visit China or meet with Xi by raising his father’s issue.
“I can only pray that this pressure helps,” the younger Lai said. “I think my father’s case is the litmus test for any engagement we have with China.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said it raised the issue of Jimmy Lei directly with Xi during the conference Visit to China last month. British officials said they would “engage more quickly” after Monday’s ruling, but it was not clear what that would entail.
Sebastian Lai said he was “very grateful” for Trump’s previous comments on his father’s release, which “gave my family a lot of hope.”
The son said it was now a matter of saving his father’s life.
“It’s a 20-year prison sentence, which is a comically large sentence, given that my father is 78 years old. At that point in 20 years, he will be almost 100,” he said. “But under the conditions in which he was held… he may die before that.”
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Howie reported from London.