Opinion Column
In 1991, I first met Jimmy Lai, just a year after he unveiled Next Magazine. Back then, I held the position of the Chinese head at CHIN Radio/TV International in Toronto, Canada, focusing on Hong Kong matters leading up to the 1997 handover. Our program content delved into various themes, such as immigration, resettlement, entrepreneurship, and investment strategies, resonating with migrating Hongkongers globally. Even under British colonial rule, the latest issues of Next Magazine from Hong Kong were eagerly sought after, reaching Chinatowns across major cities worldwide a week after hitting the stands.
Since that initial meeting, I have made it a priority to stay connected with Jimmy. His compelling narratives on the significance of information freedom and democracy had already sounded the alarm for Hongkongers and the global audience, suggesting that substantial changes could unfold after the handover of Hong Kong. This was a time preceding the internet’s transformative impact on communication in the mid-’90s. Subsequently, Jimmy ventured into launching Apple Daily in 1995, establishing it as the most widely read newspaper in Hong Kong, both in print and online. However, the authorities in communist-controlled Hong Kong and Beijing didn’t appreciate the paper; there were raids into the paper’s headquarters, leading to the arrest of six senior executives besides Jimmy. The final print and online run of the paper came to an end on June 24, 2021.
In the mid-’90s, I shifted my focus back to the financial industry, assuming the position of a portfolio manager specializing in absolute return strategies in Canada. This move occurred before my return to Hong Kong in 2000—three years following the handover from Great Britain to China. Despite my professional trajectory leaning towards hedge funds and asset management, my commitment to media has endured. Concurrently, I resumed writing for the Hong Kong Economic Journal in 2006 and reestablished connections with Next Media. My contributions extended to the finance and political sections at Apple Daily and Next Magazine. By 2014, the Occupy Movement marked a significant phase of heightened involvement for me, evolving my role into that of a columnist and commentator. Beyond the constant pursuit of “chasing alpha” in the financial markets, I found myself passionately advocating for democracy and freedom in response to Beijing’s escalating control over Hong Kong during the social movements of 2014 and 2019.
However, the pivotal moment arrived with the unjust imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020, often compared to a “neutron bomb” detonated in Hong Kong—a massacre of our freedoms. The realization dawned that Hong Kong was on the verge of silencing all voices, and the authentic story needed to be told. Departing from Hong Kong at the end of June 2021, just four days after the forced closure of Apple Daily’s final print and online versions, posed a mental and emotional challenge. The English editor-in-chief at Apple Daily faced arrest at the Hong Kong airport merely two days after the newspaper’s shutdown. The NSL police department engaged in a form of “random fire,” attempting to arrest individuals swiftly and subjecting them to long-term detainment while confiscating their travel documents. Such occurrences were unprecedented in the “old Hong Kong.”
On this Christmas Eve in Toronto, Canada, I find myself concluding this article with a philosophical touch—a moment deeply immersed in introspection. The prevailing shock lingers as notable figures in Hong Kong’s recent history either endure imprisonment or are forced into exile. Reverend Chu Yiu Ming, one of Occupy Central’s trio leaders, recently graced my YouTube Channel as a special guest. Together, we immersed ourselves in the ongoing unjust National Security trial of Jimmy Lai, which commenced just a few days ago, on Dec. 18. The trial is expected to unfold over at least 80 court days. On air, we passionately prayed for miracles for Jimmy and others who find themselves unjustly detained, undergoing unfair trials, and awaiting their sentences. Our interactive dialogue also delved into Reverend Chu’s recently released memoir, shedding light on the democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Leading up to the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) in mid-2020, Jimmy, a devout Catholic and avid reader, found himself in a tense predicament in Hong Kong. Recognizing his need for inspiration, I recalled an autographed book I had received from His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, which had been sitting on the shelf for a while. It struck me that I should pass it on to Jimmy. The book, titled “My Land & My People,” the autobiography of the Dalai Lama, arrived at a crucial juncture when the totalitarian regime sought to shut down Jimmy’s media group. Reflecting on an interview with the Dalai Lama in Brussels, Belgium, a few years earlier, where he imparted the words, “Never give up hope for Hong Kong,” I intended to provide Jimmy with a source of encouragement. This was especially significant for someone who stands as the strongest defender of Hong Kong under the “One Country Two Systems” framework. Unfortunately, the totalitarian regime failed to honor its promise and instead revoked it after 22 years of what was supposed to be a 50-year non-intervention policy.
During this Christmas season, as I contemplate the profound meanings of life—salvation, persecution, suffering, and the highest purpose of humanity—I am deeply moved by the plight of Jimmy Lai and countless others who have fearlessly spoken out for Hong Kong, only to find themselves imprisoned due to their unwavering love for the city. Jimmy’s decision to remain in Hong Kong, rooted in his faith and steadfast defense of the Christian faith, reveals a man who has steadfastly lived out his principles for over three decades.
There was a time when freedom thrived in Hong Kong, both before and after the 1997 handover, and for this, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to him. The influx of foreign capital into Hong Kong won’t resume until investors are confident that the rule of law remains intact, the legal system stays impartial, and, above all, political prisoners are set free. Jimmy Lai’s unjust trial in Hong Kong is poised to be closely monitored by the entire world.
As we celebrate Christmas, let’s not only reflect on the joy of the season but also join in solidarity, praying for the release of Jimmy Lai and all those unjustly detained political prisoners, and nurturing hope for a Hong Kong that regains its rightful place as a bastion of freedom. Jimmy Lai’s unjust NSL trial will resume on Jan. 2, 2024. Let’s keep paying attention to the developments.
