Trump Urges Xi Jinping to Release Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai During South Korea Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump personally appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping to release jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai during their meeting in South Korea last week, according to multiple sources and a U.S. administration official. The discussion, which lasted under five minutes, focused on concerns about Lai’s health and the impact of his prolonged detention under Hong Kong’s national security law.

Trump’s request, while not tied to a specific deal, emphasized that freeing Lai could improve U.S.-China relations and enhance China’s international image. Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy Apple Dailynewspaper, faces charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material. His trial has drawn global criticism as a symbol of China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong’s freedoms since the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Although Trump had publicly vowed to address Lai’s case, official statements from both governments did not mention the issue. The White House declined to comment, while Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said he was unaware of the discussion but reaffirmed Beijing’s stance that Lai’s actions “gravely undermined Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.”

Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, expressed gratitude toward Trump, calling him the “Liberator in Chief” and voicing hope for his father’s release. Rights groups report that Jimmy Lai has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,700 days in Stanley Prison and suffers from heart issues requiring medical monitoring.

Trump characterized his talks with Xi as successful, highlighting agreements on trade, rare earth exports, and measures against fentanyl production, while noting that tensions over Taiwan were not discussed.