Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies stirring up trouble on ex-US diplomat’s orders
Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the former media boss, has denied allegations of inciting opposition against the Hong Kong government under the influence of a former American diplomat in the lead-up to the 2019 social unrest. During his ongoing national security trial, Lai stated that although he did not seek advice from former US consul general James Cunningham, he did instruct his newspaper, Apple Daily, to report on Washington's concerns regarding Hong Kong, as suggested by Cunningham.
As Lai continued to testify, he revealed his interest in engaging Cunningham to assist Hong Kong opposition activists in gaining US support against a controversial extradition bill in 2019. Despite this acknowledgment, he firmly refuted the conspiracy charges against him, which allege collusion with foreign forces and the distribution of seditious materials in violation of colonial-era laws. The prosecution also brought attention to a significant meeting between former Hong Kong chief secretary Anson Chan and then-US vice-president Mike Pence in March 2019, underlining the political dynamics influencing the situation in Hong Kong.
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Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the former media boss, has denied allegations of inciting opposition against the Hong Kong government under the influence of a former American diplomat in the lead-up to the 2019 social unrest. During his ongoing national security trial, Lai stated that although he did not seek advice from former US consul general James Cunningham, he did instruct his newspaper, Apple Daily, to report on Washington's concerns regarding Hong Kong, as suggested by Cunningham.
As Lai continued to testify, he revealed his interest in engaging Cunningham to assist Hong Kong opposition activists in gaining US support against a controversial extradition bill in 2019. Despite this acknowledgment, he firmly refuted the conspiracy charges against him, which allege collusion with foreign forces and the distribution of seditious materials in violation of colonial-era laws. The prosecution also brought attention to a significant meeting between former Hong Kong chief secretary Anson Chan and then-US vice-president Mike Pence in March 2019, underlining the political dynamics influencing the situation in Hong Kong.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
