Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Critically Ill in Prison, Democracy Activists Launch Global Support Campaign

On the afternoon of February 22, 2025, democracy and human rights activists in the San Francisco Bay Area protested in front of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, condemning the Chinese government's persecution of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy figure and media tycoon in Hong Kong. They demanded his release after nearly four years of solitary confinement and called for authorities to allow him to receive medical treatment. (Photo by VOA’s Zhou Xingchen)

[People News] On Saturday, February 22 (local time), several pro-democracy groups, including the Chinese Democratic Party, the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation, Humanitarian China, and the Asian Women Refugee Art Group, gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco to protest the Chinese government's persecution of Hong Kong pro-democracy figure and media tycoon Jimmy Lai. They called for his immediate release.

According to Voice of America, this protest was part of a global campaign supporting Jimmy Lai amid reports that his health is in critical condition. Protesters also demanded that the Chinese government stop its crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists and dissidents and release all political prisoners in Hong Kong.

Jimmy Lai has been in solitary confinement for nearly four years. His son, Sebastien Lai, told Reuters on Tuesday, February 18, ahead of the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, that his father suffers from diabetes and has not received proper medical care in prison. "His body is collapsing… This is akin to torture… My father does not have much time left," Sebastien Lai said, urging the U.K. and the U.S. to intervene and rescue him.

In addition to San Francisco, support rallies have also been held in Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. Protesters are calling on the Chinese government to release Jimmy Lai unconditionally, allow him medical parole, and end the use of solitary confinement and other measures to suppress human rights defenders and dissidents. Similar protests are expected to take place in London, U.K., and Tokyo, Japan.

Protests in San Francisco Against the Persecution of Li Zhiying by Chinese Authorities

In San Francisco, demonstrators gathered outside the Chinese Consulate, chanting slogans like "Li Zhiying is innocent, press freedom, freedom of speech," and "Release Li Zhiying, free Hong Kong, free China." Several young participants at the rally spoke out against the widespread torture and human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party, expressing their admiration and solidarity with Li Zhiying.

Li Zhiying, who is 77 years old this year, is a prominent liberal media figure from Hong Kong. He arrived in Hong Kong from mainland China as a teenager during the "Great Escape from Hong Kong" period. Through hard work, he became a successful entrepreneur and founded media outlets such as Next Media and Apple Daily.

Fang Zheng, a former president of the Democratic Education Foundation and one of the event's organizers, told Voice of America that Li Zhiying and the many media professionals associated with Next Media and Apple Daily are "defenders of freedom in Hong Kong and integral to Hong Kong's democracy. We hold Mr. Li in high regard; he has made significant contributions to the freedom of Hong Kong and has faced severe repression from the Chinese government as a result."

Fang Zheng emphasized that what is most commendable about Li Zhiying is that, despite holding a British passport and having the option to leave Hong Kong, he chose to stay. Even if it meant imprisonment, he wanted to share the fate of the people of Hong Kong. This demonstrates a courageous spirit of "If I do not go to hell, who will?"

Fang Zheng stated, "It is extremely inhumane to bind an 80-year-old man hand and foot with iron shackles and display him to the public. His son has reported that he is in a state of near collapse, and we hope to support the global movement advocating for Li Zhiying's medical improvement. We will continue to call for his release until the CCP grants him true freedom. We also hope that more people will join the efforts to support Li Zhiying!"

Li Zhiying, a British national, was arrested by authorities in August 2020 on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law for his support of the student movement during the pro-democracy protests that swept through Hong Kong in 2019. The former founder of Apple Daily pleaded not guilty in January 2024 to charges of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "inciting rebellion." The Hong Kong National Security Law, which took effect on June 30, 2020, imposes life imprisonment for actions broadly defined by the CCP government as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.

Hu Pizheng, the head of the organization department of the San Francisco branch of the Chinese Democratic Party, delivered a speech titled 'Speaking for Freedom and Justice - A Call for the Release of Mr. Jimmy Lai' at the rally. 'Today, we stand here not just for one individual, but for freedom, justice, and fundamental human rights,' Hu Pizheng stated during his address. 'Mr. Jimmy Lai symbolizes the spirit of freedom in Hong Kong. He has shown through his actions that even when faced with threats and imprisonment, he will not abandon his beliefs. Currently, he is imprisoned and suffering from unjust treatment. His health is worsening, yet he is being denied the medical care he deserves. This is a blatant violation of basic human rights! We cannot allow such a courageous individual to endure suffering alone; we must rise to speak out for him and for all those who are oppressed in their quest for freedom!' 

Cui Yunxing, a democrat from Suzhou and one of the event's organizers, told Voice of America after the speech that he learned about Jimmy Lai's deteriorating health in prison through social media platform X, prompting him and other democrats to organize this protest. 

'Jimmy Lai's spirit has inspired everyone here. We hope that by supporting Jimmy Lai, we can motivate more people to stand up and join the fight against the tyranny of the Chinese Communist Party. We urge governments worldwide, the international community, and all advocates of freedom to pay attention to Mr. Jimmy Lai's situation, condemn this unjust persecution, and demand the immediate release of all those imprisoned for exercising their freedom of speech. Let us unite, let our voices break through the high walls, and let the flame of freedom continue to burn!' Cui Yunxing remarked.

Cui Yunxing remarked that Li Zhiying is a resolute anti-communist and is innocent; he is a contemporary hero and a role model in Hong Kong. 'He sacrificed all his wealth and family happiness for the freedom of Hong Kong, willingly going to prison, which is truly admirable. We call for the release of Li Zhiying! Restore freedom to Hong Kong!' said Cui Yunxing.

Support actions for Li Zhiying have been initiated in several cities

In addition to the protests in San Francisco, cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, and Washington D.C., have also organized demonstrations against the Chinese Communist government's detention of Li Zhiying.

On the afternoon of February 22, numerous democratic activists participated in the 'Support Li Zhiying' protest march in front of the Chinese Communist Consulate in Los Angeles, Flushing Library in New York, and Times Square in New York.

Zhu Yufu, one of the founders of the 'Global Support for Li Zhiying' campaign and the Central Chairman of the United Headquarters of the Chinese Democratic Party, along with over 200 democratic activists in Los Angeles, protested in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Voice of America connected with Zhu Yufu at the protest site in Los Angeles, where he expressed to Voice of America that Li Zhiying is a hero in his eyes.

As a successful businessman with a net worth exceeding a hundred million dollars, Li Zhiying (黎智英) did not hesitate to start opposing the authoritarian regime following the events of June 4, 1989. Consequently, he and his businesses faced severe repression from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Li Zhiying expresses gratitude for the refuge he found in Hong Kong after his escape, as it offered him a new life. He later established Next Media to advocate for freedom in Hong Kong, and for the brighter future of the region, he is prepared to go to prison and sacrifice himself. 'He possesses a strong sense of mission; he is a hero in my eyes,' stated Zhu Yufu (朱虞夫). 'At 77 years old, he is imprisoned and suffering from diabetes without access to treatment. We have launched this global support campaign, urging the CCP to release him and allow him to receive medical care.'

Zhu Yufu further explained to Voice of America that organizing support for Li Zhiying is not solely for him, but also for their own sake. 'Mr. Li Zhiying's current situation could very well be our future. Our support for him today is also a stand for ourselves. If we find ourselves in prison one day, we hope that someone will advocate for us and fight for our human rights and fair treatment. As long as Li Zhiying is denied medical treatment outside of prison, we will continue our support and will never give up!' Zhu Yufu asserted.

He also mentioned to Voice of America that prior to the event, police from his hometown of Hangzhou, China, contacted him, requesting that he refrain from organizing or participating in this event.

Former Chinese human rights lawyer and visiting professor at Hunter College, Teng Biao (滕彪), shared with Voice of America that he had met Li Zhiying on several occasions, and that Li Zhiying's situation illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong has been completely 'mainlandized.'

Teng Biao stated, "The Hong Kong authorities arrested him due to his political stance, activities, and speech, and they denied him medical treatment outside of prison even as his health severely deteriorated. This indicates that the rule of law in Hong Kong has been completely mainlandized, with even the most basic humanitarian principles disregarded."

He expressed hope that the coordinated support from various cities would "attract the attention of more media outlets, human rights organizations, and particularly the governments of democratic nations. All sectors of society should continue to apply pressure on the CCP government and the Hong Kong authorities. The experiences of prisoners of conscience, human rights conditions, and significant economic, trade, and diplomatic issues should be interconnected."

Qiu Jiajun, a spokesperson for the New York-based Chinese democratic transformation organization "China Action," also spoke to Voice of America. He noted that in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, numerous democrats have rallied to support Li Zhiying, demonstrating respect for him through their actions.

"At China Action, we believe that the unwavering and resilient spirit of struggle embodied by Mr. Li Zhiying is essential for the success of social movements. Additionally, various groups and organizations involved in the struggle should support one another, and achieving coordination and collaboration is one way to enhance the outcomes of the struggle. Mr. Li holds a British passport, and we urge the British government to take proactive measures at this time to ensure that Mr. Li Zhiying has the opportunity to receive medical treatment outside of prison. We also call on international news organizations and human rights groups to demand the unconditional release of Mr. Li Zhiying from the CCP," Qiu Jiajun stated.