Sebastien Lai defends his father’s decision to remain in Hong Kong, despite the threat of life imprisonment.
Sebastien Lai, the son of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai, spoke out in defense of his father, who is currently marking 1,000 days behind bars. Despite facing the possibility of life imprisonment, Jimmy Lai remains resolute in his beliefs, refusing to be intimidated by Chinese authorities. In an interview with NBC News in London, Sebastien Lai, who now lives in Taiwan, emphasized that his father could have easily fled Hong Kong to avoid the crackdown on pro-democracy activists but chose to stay and fight for freedom.
“For someone to give up everything he has to stand up for freedom is an incredibly rare thing,” Sebastien Lai stated, asserting that many people understand the stakes involved and recognize that his father should not be imprisoned. The 75-year-old Jimmy Lai has been held in solitary confinement at Hong Kong’s Stanley Prison. He is serving over five years for a commercial lease violation, charges which his lawyers and human rights organizations deem baseless. Additionally, he has faced prosecution for his participation in pro-democracy protests and for lighting a candle during a 2020 vigil for Tiananmen Square massacre victims.
Despite facing potential life imprisonment under the national security law, Jimmy Lai remains steadfast. “He’s someone who refuses to be cowed,” Sebastien Lai remarked, praising his father’s commitment to democratic values, which have made him a target of the Chinese government. Jimmy Lai’s actions, including his work and personal sacrifices, reflect his dedication to these principles, which Sebastien believes is why the Chinese government has aggressively pursued him.
Sebastien Lai also commented on the broader implications of his father’s imprisonment, highlighting the forced closure of Lai’s newspaper, Apple Daily, and the jailing of numerous political prisoners. These actions send a strong message that Hong Kong, despite its claims, is no longer a free place for business. For Sebastien Lai, the future of Hong Kong as a financial hub depends on whether the government chooses to uphold freedoms or continue suppressing political dissent.