Jimmy Lai denies being Chinese, tells trial: ‘We are Hong Kong people’

‘You’re a Chinese person,’ bemused Hong Kong judge says to ex-media boss

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Jimmy Lai is standing trial on two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:34pm, 26 Feb 2025Updated: 8:39pm, 26 Feb 2025

Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has denied being Chinese while maintaining Hongkongers have “nothing to do with” the Communist Party of China, prompting a judge in his national security trial to question whether he recognised the colour of his skin.

A brief debate over national identity ensued on Wednesday after Lai denied seeking the collapse of the government in Beijing in a live broadcast interview before he was prosecuted and detained under the national security law in late 2020.

West Kowloon Court heard the 77-year-old defendant, who was cross-examined by prosecutors on his 47th day in the witness box, told the “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai” online programme in November 2020 that Hongkongers wished to “get rid of dictatorship” and live as “free people of a country that we love”.

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid newspaper rejected prosecutors’ contention that he wanted to eradicate the Communist Party, stressing that he and other Hongkongers had no means to do so.

“We are Hong Kong people. China has nothing to do with us,” Lai told the court. “The CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is China, that has nothing to do with us. Only Chinese people can get rid of the CCP.”

Two of the three presiding High Court judges, Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping and Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang, found those remarks puzzling.

“Is your skin yellow, Mr Lai? You’re a Chinese person,” Toh said.