Jimmy Lai’s Son Urges Release Before Xi Jinping’s US Visit as Sister Undergoes Cancer Treatment

Sebastien Lai makes emotional appeal in Washington

Sebastien Lai appealed for the release of his father during a hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China in Washington on Wednesday, urging US officials to raise Jimmy Lai’s case ahead of Xi Jinping’s expected meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Sebastien said his sister Claire could not attend the hearing because she had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had started chemotherapy in London.

He called for his 78-year-old father to be allowed to return home and spend time with his daughter during her treatment. Sebastien also warned that Lai could die in prison if he remains incarcerated for the full term.

Jimmy Lai serving 20-year sentence

Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison after being convicted on two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one charge involving seditious materials under Hong Kong's national security law.

Lai had been detained since 2020 and his case has become one of the most closely watched national-security prosecutions in Hong Kong.

His separate fraud conviction was later overturned by Hong Kong's Court of Appeal in February. However, that ruling did not affect his 20-year sentence in the national-security case.

Trump has previously raised Lai’s case with Xi

The appeal comes shortly before Xi is expected to travel to Washington for a September 24 meeting with Trump. Trump has previously discussed Lai's case with the Chinese president, including during his May visit to China.

The upcoming meeting gives the issue renewed diplomatic attention, with Lai's family seeking humanitarian intervention while Claire continues cancer treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Sebastien Lai appealed for his father's release at a US congressional hearing.
• Claire Lai is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer.
• Jimmy Lai is serving a 20-year sentence in Hong Kong's national-security case.
• His separate fraud conviction was overturned on appeal, but the national-security sentence remains.
• Trump has previously raised Jimmy Lai's case with Xi Jinping.
• Xi is expected to meet Trump in Washington on September 24.

Why This Matters

Jimmy Lai's case remains a significant point of discussion in US-China relations and Hong Kong's national-security landscape. His son's latest appeal adds a humanitarian dimension to the issue as Xi prepares for a high-level meeting with Trump. Any decision concerning Lai's detention, however, would depend on Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, while the US role is primarily diplomatic.