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Donald Trump does ‘not feel optimistic’ for Jimmy Lai after speaking with Xi Jinping
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Donald Trump does ‘not feel optimistic’ for Jimmy Lai after speaking with Xi Jinping

The Guardian · May 16, 2026, 3:28 AM · Also reported by 2 other sources

Key takeaways

  • He was found guilty in December on charges of foreign collusion and seditious publication and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
  • Prefer the Guardian on GoogleDonald Trump raised the case of jailed Hong Kong democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping but was told it “is a tough one”.
  • Family and supporters of the 78-year-old British citizen had hoped the US president could help secure his release.

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, in 2020. He was found guilty in December on charges of foreign collusion and seditious publication and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters View image in fullscreen Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, in 2020. He was found guilty in December on charges of foreign collusion and seditious publication and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Jimmy Lai Donald Trump does ‘not feel optimistic’ for Jimmy Lai after speaking with Xi JinpingFamily and supporters had hoped the US president could help free the 78-year-old British citizen during summit talks in Beijing

Prefer the Guardian on GoogleDonald Trump raised the case of jailed Hong Kong democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping but was told it “is a tough one”.

Family and supporters of the 78-year-old British citizen had hoped the US president could help secure his release.

Article preview — originally published by The Guardian. Full story at the source.
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