The Story The Brit standing up to China: can Starmer save Jimmy Lai?
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Aug 22, 2025 Cindy Yu, a columnist and contributing editor at The Times, dives deep into the plight of pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, imprisoned in China for five years. She discusses his remarkable journey from a fashion mogul to a fierce political activist. The conversation highlights the implications of his trial on Hong Kong's democracy and the crucial role international support plays in advocating for human rights. Cindy also touches on the symbolism of Lai's imprisonment and its broader representation of the struggle for freedom in the region.
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Lai As Symbol Of Hong Kong's Decline
- Jimmy Lai is central to Hong Kong's 2019 protests and is now on trial under national security charges that could mean life imprisonment.
- His case symbolizes the erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms under the new national security framework.
Harsh Prison Conditions Described
- Lai has spent almost five years largely in solitary confinement in a small, non-air-conditioned cell and receives limited reading material.
- He is 77, diabetic, has lost weight, and reads Catholic theology while imprisoned.
From Stowaway To Fashion Tycoon
- Jimmy Lai escaped poverty by stowing away to Hong Kong at age 12 and worked in factories before building a successful fashion business.
- He used shrewd tactics, like hiring a fortune teller, to win a factory and launch his Giordano empire.
