One of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, Jimmy Lai, has made his first court appearance in a national security prosecution where he may receive a life sentence.
Allegations of collusion with foreign powers have been made against the 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily.
However, Lai told the court on Wednesday that he had “never” influenced Hong Kong’s foreign policy through his international relationships, which include former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen and former US Vice President Mike Pence.
Lai is currently incarcerated for a number of offenses related to his alleged involvement in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019, which prompted China to enact a comprehensive national security law (NSL) in the city.
