Americano Why is the West ignoring Jimmy Lai?
Dec 22, 2025
Father Robert Sirico, a Catholic priest and President Emeritus of the Acton Institute, joins to discuss the significant plight of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon imprisoned for opposing the Chinese Communist Party. Sirico highlights Lai's inspiring journey from poverty to media success and critiques the West's weak response to his situation, attributing it to commercial interests. The conversation also explores Lai's Catholic faith, the impact of the Vatican's stance, and the geopolitical implications of his trial.
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Beijing's Transactional Repression
- Jimmy Lai's guilty verdict reflects Beijing's intolerance for dissent and transactional view of power.
- Father Robert Sirico argues those trading or culturally aligned with China dampen Western outrage.
Mobilize Moral Pressure
- Build a national moral sensibility around cases like Jimmy Lai to pressure authoritarian regimes.
- Use public campaigns, letters, and high-profile advocacy to keep attention on political prisoners.
From Garment Worker To Media Founder
- Jimmy Lai rose from refugee to billionaire by building a garment empire and then Apple Daily.
- He funded Apple Daily after Tiananmen to defend protesters and promote free-market editorials.