A Son and Daughter’s Appeal to Xi Jinping to Release Their Dad, Jimmy Lai

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China will hold a hearing examining the imprisonment of Hong Kong media entrepreneur and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai and what his case reveals about the continued erosion of freedom of the press, judicial independence, and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Lai’s imprisonment is emblematic of the profound changes that have taken place in Hong Kong since the People’s Republic of China imposed the National Security Law in June 2020. The Commission has documented the use of national security laws to imprison democracy advocates, journalists, former legislators, and civil society leaders; the weakening of procedural protections and judicial independence; and the chilling effect of Hong Kong’s national security regime on speech and political activity both inside Hong Kong and abroad.

Given the planned summit between President Trump and General Secretary Xi Jinping, the hearing will underscore the appeal from Jimmy Lai’s children to Xi Jinping for their father’s immediate release and examine the broader implications of Lai’s continued imprisonment. The hearing will also consider what additional steps Congress, the Administration, and international partners can take to secure Lai’s release and hold accountable officials responsible for undermining internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The hearing will be livestreamed on the CECC’s YouTube channel.