Following Jimmy Lai's conviction on all national security charges on December 15, 2025, the Hong Kong High Court highlighted eight specific lies he told during his self-defense to mislead the court. Details emerged on concealed meetings, editorial instructions, and sanction advocacy, amid expert views labeling Lai a Western proxy while defending Hong Kong's press freedoms.
In the verdict from Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's national security conspiracy trial—previously reported as convicting him on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials—a panel of three judges pinpointed eight lies Lai told during his 52 days of testimony over the 156-day open trial.
These included: concealing the true purpose of a planned U.S. trip (June 24–July 19, 2020) in a June 12 bail application, omitting meetings with U.S. officials (July 4–11); denying knowledge of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) despite sharing a June 13, 2020, Wall Street Journal article and receiving thanks via WhatsApp; claiming only two editorial instructions to Apple Daily, contradicted by messages urging protest mobilization (April 27, 2019) and student interviews (June 3 and 6); denying funding the illegal 'primary election' despite instructions for voting software (December 12, 2019); disavowing ties to the 'Lam Chau Team' after a January 2020 Taipei meeting and October 24 tweet; initially denying requests for U.S. sanctions in July 2019 meetings with Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo (contradicted by Apple Daily report); covering up approval of Elmer Yuen's May 29, 2020, sanctions video; and claiming his 'Live Chat with Jimmy Lai' show was unrelated to Apple Daily despite staff involvement.
Lai conceded points under questioning by Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang. Consultant Lau Siu-kai described Lai as a Western pawn smearing Hong Kong's judiciary. Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah called sanction-seeking tantamount to treason under national security laws. Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee noted freedom of expression is not absolute per International Covenant standards, citing coverage of events like the Tai Po fire as evidence of vibrant media. Hong Kong residents protested outside U.S., British, and Australian consulates against Western criticism.
Sentencing is pending after mitigation submissions due January 2, 2026, amid strains on China-UK ties.
