China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its “firm support” for Hong Kong’s judicial authorities when asked whether Beijing would consider releasing jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying ahead of US President Donald Trump’s three-day state visit starting Wednesday.

“[Jimmy] Lai Chee-ying is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the riots that shook Hong Kong,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing, when asked whether Beijing would consider Lai’s release if Trump raised the issue during talks with Chinese officials.

“Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong judicial authorities in performing duties in accordance with the law.”

Guo’s remarks came a day before Trump’s much-anticipated visit to China, which had previously been delayed and is taking place at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

The summit comes amid a US-Iran ceasefire and will mark the first time a US president has visited China since 2017, when Trump travelled there during his first term.

Lai, 78, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, is serving a 20-year sentence for national security offences after being convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and to print and distribute seditious publications.