New Books Network Mark L. Clifford, "The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic" (Free Press, 2024)
Nov 4, 2025
Mark L. Clifford, a former editor-in-chief of major Hong Kong newspapers and president of The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, dives deep into the life of Jimmy Lai. He shares Lai's harrowing escape from famine in mainland China and his rise as a billionaire through innovative retail with Giordano. Clifford discusses how Lai transformed media with Apple Daily, advocating for democracy and confronting the Chinese Communist Party. The conversation also highlights the chilling effects of the 2020 National Security Law and Lai's courageous choices amid political oppression.
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From Starving Child To Factory Owner
- Jimmy Lai escaped famine-era China at about age 12 by getting a Macau permit and then smuggling himself into Hong Kong on an overcrowded boat.
- He found work in a glove factory, slept on the factory floor, and rose to own a major sweater factory within 15 years.
Operations As Political Advantage
- Jimmy innovated supply chains by dyeing white garments after production and chartering cargo planes to cut delivery times dramatically.
- Those operational moves seeded what became fast-fashion and influenced global retailers like Uniqlo.
Giordano's Customer-First Retail Model
- Giordano offered bright colors, friendly service, and better-paid staff to attract working-class customers often excluded elsewhere.
- Lai invested in training and point-of-sale tech to create an approachable, high-turnover retail experience.
