Trump Urges Xi Jinping to Release Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai

Washington: US President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he has requested Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai. Trump expressed his concern over Lai's conviction, stating that he felt deeply saddened by the situation.According to TRTworld.com, Trump discussed Lai's case with Xi, although he did not specify the timing of the conversation. Trump highlighted Lai's age and declining health as reasons for his appeal, emphasizing that he hoped for a positive outcome. Trump had previously indicated his desire to see Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, freed.During their meeting in October in South Korea, Trump reportedly raised Lai's situation with Xi. In response to Trump's remarks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X, expressing that the verdict against Lai demonstrated China's intent to suppress voices advocating for freedom of speech and fundamental rights. Rubio emphasized China's commitment to maintaining a separate system following the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from Britain.Rubio further highlighted reports of Lai's deteriorating health after over 1,800 days in prison and urged for Lai's release on humanitarian grounds. Lai's case has garnered attention from both democracy and press freedom advocates, as well as Christian activists in the United States, forming a significant support base for Trump.At 78 years old and diabetic, Lai was found guilty on three national security charges on Monday, facing the possibility of spending the remainder of his life in prison. He has been incarcerated since his arrest in late 2020.