Hong Kong leader warns Trump not to interfere after he says he would free Jimmy Lai
Hong Kong’s top leader on Tuesday warned President-elect Donald Trump not to interfere in the Chinese territory’s internal affairs after he said he would “100%” free the imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.
HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s top leader warned President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday not to interfere in the Chinese territory’s internal affairs after he said he would “100%” free the imprisoned pro-democracy activist and tycoon Jimmy Lai.
Lai, 76, the founder of the defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of sedition and collusion with foreign forces in a landmark national security trial that is widely seen as a test of Hong Kong’s press freedom and judicial independence. He faces possible life imprisonment.
Asked last month whether he could get Lai out of China, Trump told conservative podcast host Hugh Hewitt, “100%, I’ll get him out” and said it would be “so easy.”
At a news conference Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee did not directly answer a question about Trump’s remarks but said he hoped for “mutual respect” between Hong Kong and the U.S., one of its top trading partners.
“We desire mutual respect with all countries, including the U.S., because trade is beneficial for both sides,” he said.
Rating: 5