President calls for release of HK activist Jimmy Lai‘EXTREMELY UNFAIR’: Claire Lai called her father’s 20-year sentence ‘laughable,’ adding that no one should be under the illusion that there is rule of law in Hong KongStaff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called for the immediate release of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英), who was on Monday sentenced to 20 years in prison for breaching Hong Kong’s National Security Law. “Taiwan stands with Mr Jimmy Lai and all the people who safeguard freedom,” the president wrote on social media. Hailing Jimmy Lai as a long-time advocate for freedom and democracy, the president said his detention was Beijing’s attempt to create a chilling effect among dissidents and poses a grave threat to the universal values espoused by the international community. China’s cross-border oppression has gone beyond Hong Kong and redefined “foreign forces,” Hong Kong Outlanders secretary-general Sky Fung (馮詔天) said. While an appeal remains an option, she said pursuing one could allow the Hong Kong government to argue that the case is still ongoing and that foreign governments therefore should not intervene.

Source: Taipei Times February 10, 2026 17:21 UTC