Paris, May 12: U.S. President Donald Trump is set to embark on a three-day visit to China. Ahead of this trip, pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has once again captured headlines. A prominent international media freedom organization has urged Trump to raise the issue of Lai’s release during his meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Jimmy Lai has been in detention for an extended period. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed concern, stating that his health has significantly deteriorated after more than 1,950 days in custody. He has received the longest sentence under Beijing’s national security law imposed on Hong Kong.
President Trump will visit China from May 13 to May 15, marking the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to China in nearly a decade.
Alexandra Bielakowska, RSF’s Advocacy Manager for Asia-Pacific, stated, “The U.S. must take swift and decisive action to ensure the immediate release of a person who has dedicated his life to defending democracy and press freedom. President Trump has repeatedly stated that Jimmy Lai’s freedom is a priority — now those words need to be translated into concrete action.”
She further emphasized, “The world has already witnessed the tragic death of Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in a Chinese prison due to insufficient international pressure. We must not allow a similar failure to occur again. Jimmy Lai must not face the same fate. We appeal to President Trump to exert pressure for Lai’s release during his visit to China and bring him home without delay.”
According to RSF, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2026. Additionally, six other employees of ‘Apple Daily’ received sentences ranging from 6 to 10 years. This crackdown occurred amid Beijing’s increasing repression of independent press in Hong Kong.
The organization noted that since his arrest in December 2020, Lai has faced harsh conditions, particularly solitary confinement, leading to a decline in his health and significant weight loss.
RSF reported that since 2020, the Hong Kong government has prosecuted around 28 journalists, with eight currently in custody.
The organization stated, “Journalists in Hong Kong are systematically facing harassment, both online and offline surveillance, doxxing, and threats.”
Last week, over 100 bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress also urged President Trump to address Jimmy Lai’s release during his upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping. They warned that the health of the 78-year-old Lai is rapidly deteriorating.
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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