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| native_name = {{nobold|黎智英}}
| native_name = {{nobold|黎智英}}
| image = 黎智英在美国智库 (1) (cropped).jpg
| image = 黎智英在美国智库 (1) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Lai at [[Foundation for Defense of Democracies]], 2019
| caption = Lai at 2019 [[Foundation for Defense of Democraitcies]]
| birth_date = {{b-da|8 December 1948}}
| birth_date = {{b-da|8 December 1948}}
| birth_place = [[Guangzhou]], [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]]
| birth_place = [[Guangzhou]], [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]]
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}}
}}


'''Lai Chee-Ying''' ({{lang-zh|c=黎智英}}), known professionally as '''Jimmy Lai''', is a British [[Hong Kong]] entrepreneur. He founded [[Giordano (clothing)|Giordano]], an Asian clothing retailer, [[Next Digital]] (formerly Next Media), a Hong Kong-listed media company, and the popular newspaper ''[[Apple Daily]]''. He is one of the main contributors to the [[pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy camp]], especially to the [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]]. Although he is known as a Hong Kong political figure, he has been a UK national since 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai, the testy tycoon defying Beijing|url=https://www.ft.com/content/398cbe8f-8b13-4537-a38e-84c8c0d75070|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Financial Times|language=en}}</ref>
'''Lai Chee-Ying''' ({{lang-zh|c=黎智英}}), known professionally as '''Jimmy Lai''', is a [[Hong Kong]] entrepreneur and. He founded [[Giordano (clothing)|Giordano]], an Asian clothing retailer, [[Next Digital]] (formerly [[Next Media]]), a Hong Kong-listed media company, and popular newspaper ''[[Apple Daily]]''. He is one of the main contributors to the [[pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy camp]], especially to the [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]]. Although he is known as a Hong Kong political figure, he has been a UK national since 1996 <ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai, the testy tycoon defying Beijing|url=https://www.ft.com/content/398cbe8f-8b13-4537-a38e-84c8c0d75070|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Financial Times|language=en}}</ref>


A prominent critic of the [[PRC government]], Lai [[The Ransacking of Next Media Headquarter by the Department for Safeguarding National Security|was arrested]] on 10 August 2020 by the [[Hong Kong police]] on "charges of violating the territory's new [[Hong Kong national security law|national security law]]",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramzy |first1=Austin |last2=May |first2=Tiffany |title=Hong Kong Publisher Jimmy Lai Is Arrested Under National Security Law |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/world/asia/hong-kong-arrests-lai-national-security-law.html? |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Lai arrested |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53717843 |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=James |last2=Cheung |first2=Eric |title=Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under new national security law |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/09/media/hong-kong-security-law-jimmy-lai-intl-hnk/index.html |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=CNN}}</ref> an action which prompted widespread criticism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soo |first1=Zen |title=Hong Kong newspaper raided, tycoon detained under new law |url=https://apnews.com/2ce4e0aac2bbb360f06e481dffaf5149 |agency=APNews |date=August 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What people are saying about the arrest of Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security-reaction-factbox/factbox-what-people-are-saying-about-the-arrest-of-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-idUSKCN256076 |agency=Reuters |date=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name="over100"/>
A prominent critic of the [[PRC government]], Lai [[The Ransacking of Next Media Headquarter by the Department for Safeguarding National Security|was arrested]] on 10 August 2020 by the [[Hong Kong police]] on "charges of violating the territory's new [[Hong Kong national security law|national security law]]",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramzy |first1=Austin |last2=May |first2=Tiffany |title=Hong Kong Publisher Jimmy Lai Is Arrested Under National Security Law |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/world/asia/hong-kong-arrests-lai-national-security-law.html? |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Lai arrested |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53717843 |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=James |last2=Cheung |first2=Eric |title=Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under new national security law |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/09/media/hong-kong-security-law-jimmy-lai-intl-hnk/index.html |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=CNN}}</ref> an action which prompted widespread criticism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soo |first1=Zen |title=Hong Kong newspaper raided, tycoon detained under new law |url=https://apnews.com/2ce4e0aac2bbb360f06e481dffaf5149 |agency=APNews |date=August 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What people are saying about the arrest of Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security-reaction-factbox/factbox-what-people-are-saying-about-the-arrest-of-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-idUSKCN256076 |agency=Reuters |date=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name="over100"/> He is also facing charge of threatening a reporter from Oriental Daily after he took photos of Lai at the annual Tiananmen Square vigil in 2017. On 25 August 2020, Hong Kong court rules evidence sufficient in the case <ref>{{cite news |title=Lawyers accuse rival paper of harassment as Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai’s trial for allegedly intimidating a reporter begins |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3098144/lawyers-accuse-rival-paper-harassment-apple-daily |accessdate=20 August 2020 |work=South China Morning Post |date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=LHong Kong court rules evidence sufficient in intimidation case to prosecute Jimmy Lai |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/hong-kong-court-rules-evidence-sufficient-in-intimidation-case-to-prosecute-jimmy-lai-2020-08-24?mod=mw_more_headlines&tesla=y |work=Market Watch |date=24 August 2020}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
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By rewarding sellers with financial incentives in Hong Kong, he built the chain into an Asia-wide retailer. Giordano was said to have more than 8,000 employees in 2,400 shops in 30 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Giordano|url=http://corp.giordano.com.hk/en/about_us.aspx|access-date=2020-07-23|website=corp.giordano.com.hk}}</ref>
By rewarding sellers with financial incentives in Hong Kong, he built the chain into an Asia-wide retailer. Giordano was said to have more than 8,000 employees in 2,400 shops in 30 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Giordano|url=http://corp.giordano.com.hk/en/about_us.aspx|access-date=2020-07-23|website=corp.giordano.com.hk}}</ref>


Lai has kept Comitex active as a shell company since he left the garment industry for media and politics in the 1990s. After his arrest under National Security Law on August 2020, Lai tried to sell his asset in Hong Kong, including the entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre. The current owner of the property is Comitex Knitters Ltd.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Comitex, along with other private companies controlled by Lai, was reported to be the financial tools for his political activities and donations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=長毛涉收款　黎智英助手回購100萬本票拆3份|url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20170605/bkn-20170605160004130-0605_00822_001.html|access-date=2017-06-05|website=Oriental Daily}}</ref>
Lai has kept Comitex active as a shell company since he left the garment industry for media and politics in the 1990s. After his arrest under National Security Law on August 2020, Jimmy Lai tried to sell his asset in Hong Kong, including the entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre. The current owner of the property is Comitex Knitters Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai continues to sell assets to raise cash, entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre offered for sale at 22% discount|url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/jimmy-lai-continues-to-sell-assets-to-raise-cash-entire-floor-of-tai-ping-industrial-centre-offered-for-sale-at-22-discount/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=Dim Sun Daily}}</ref> Comitex, along with other private companies controlled by Lai was reported to be the financial tools for his political activities and donations. <ref>{{Cite web|title=長毛涉收款　黎智英助手回購100萬本票拆3份|url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20170605/bkn-20170605160004130-0605_00822_001.html|access-date=2017-06-05|website=Oriental Daily}}</ref>


==Publications==
==Publications==
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In 2020, Lai launched an English version of ''Apple Daily''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Complimentary English Edition Is Available On Apple Daily! Subscribe Now And Show Your Support|url=https://hk.appledaily.com/us/20200612/EGM7ZO5HIAGPCMX7Q5I7LPHMEY/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Apple Daily 蘋果日報|language=zh-hk}}</ref>
In 2020, Lai launched an English version of ''Apple Daily''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Complimentary English Edition Is Available On Apple Daily! Subscribe Now And Show Your Support|url=https://hk.appledaily.com/us/20200612/EGM7ZO5HIAGPCMX7Q5I7LPHMEY/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Apple Daily 蘋果日報|language=zh-hk}}</ref>



However Next Digital, the list company, has struggled with huge financial deficit for years. The stock price has been hovering between HK$0.1 and HK$0.5, less than US$0.05 in the past five years (2015-2020). The cumulative losses in the past five years exceed HK$1.9 billion.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
However Next Digital, the list company, has struggled with huge financial deficit for years. The stock price has been hovering between HK$0.1 and HK$0.5, less than US$0.05 in the past five years (2015-2020). The cumulative losses in the past five years exceed HK$1.9 billion. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Cumulative losses of Next Digital media in the past five years exceed HK$1.9 billion|url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/cumulative-losses-of-next-digital-media-in-the-past-five-years-exceed-hk1-9-billion/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=Dim Sum Daily|}</ref>



=== Taiwan publications ===
=== Taiwan publications ===
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=== Publication challenges ===
=== Publication challenges ===
Lai's publications remained banned in China since their inception.<ref name=":0" /> The ban originated from Lai's 1994 newspaper column, where he told [[Premier of the PRC]] [[Li Peng]], seen as a driving force behind the Tiananmen Square crackdown, to "drop dead".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gough|first=Neil|date=2015-01-11|title=For Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s Rebellious Tycoon, Next Battle May Be in Court|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/business/media/for-jimmy-lai-hong-kongs-rebellious-tycoon-next-battle-may-be-in-court.html|access-date=2020-07-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He also called the [[Communist Party of China]] "a monopoly that charges a premium for lousy service".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-05-14|title=Vaudine England on the repercussions of media mogul Jimmy Lai's resistance to Beijing|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/14/mondaymediasection8|access-date=2020-07-23|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> China's government retaliated against Lai by starting a shut-down of Giordano shops, prompting him to sell out of the company in order to save it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Callick|first=Rowan|date=2012-02-10|title=The animated mind of Jimmy Lai, Asian media innovator|work=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/the-animated-mind-of-jimmy-lai-asian-media-innovator/news-story/5e8a82aa29167210e859eaeeddbc9502|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-23}}</ref> In addition to having his publications banned in China, businesses had distanced themselves from placing advertisements in ''Apple Daily'' to avoid retaliation from the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Losses mount for Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Media-Entertainment/Losses-mount-for-Hong-Kong-s-pro-democracy-Apple-Daily|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Nikkei Asian Review|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-18|title='Whatever we write... can be subversion, can be sedition': Hong Kong's 'rebel' tycoon Jimmy Lai says he has no regrets|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/06/18/whatever-we-write-can-be-subversion-can-be-sedition-hong-kongs-rebel-tycoon-jimmy-lai-says-he-has-no-regrets/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Lai's publications remained banned in China since their inception.<ref name=":0" /> The ban originated from Lai's 1994 newspaper column, where he told [[Premier of the PRC]] [[Li Peng]], seen as a driving force behind the Tiananmen Square crackdown, to "drop dead".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gough|first=Neil|date=2015-01-11|title=For Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s Rebellious Tycoon, Next Battle May Be in Court|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/business/media/for-jimmy-lai-hong-kongs-rebellious-tycoon-next-battle-may-be-in-court.html|access-date=2020-07-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He also called the [[Communist Party of China]] "a monopoly that charges a premium for lousy service".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-05-14|title=Vaudine England on the repercussions of media mogul Jimmy Lai's resistance to Beijing|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/14/mondaymediasection8|access-date=2020-07-23|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> China's government retaliated against Lai by starting a shut-down of Giordano shops, prompting him to sell out of the company he founded in order to save it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Callick|first=Rowan|date=2012-02-10|title=The animated mind of Jimmy Lai, Asian media innovator|work=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/the-animated-mind-of-jimmy-lai-asian-media-innovator/news-story/5e8a82aa29167210e859eaeeddbc9502|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-23}}</ref> In addition to having his publications banned in China, businesses had distanced themselves from placing advertisements in ''Apple Daily'' to avoid retaliation from the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Losses mount for Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Media-Entertainment/Losses-mount-for-Hong-Kong-s-pro-democracy-Apple-Daily|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Nikkei Asian Review|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-18|title='Whatever we write... can be subversion, can be sedition': Hong Kong's 'rebel' tycoon Jimmy Lai says he has no regrets|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/06/18/whatever-we-write-can-be-subversion-can-be-sedition-hong-kongs-rebel-tycoon-jimmy-lai-says-he-has-no-regrets/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Lai had frequently faced hostility from the many Beijing-backed tycoons, including attempts to force supplier boycotts of his companies. Major Hong Kong property developers and top companies advertised only in competing publications not owned by Lai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai: Media tycoon chooses freedom over profit|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Jimmy-Lai-Media-tycoon-chooses-freedom-over-profit|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Nikkei Asian Review|language=en-GB}}</ref> He also faced a lengthy battle to list on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]], which Lai sidestepped through a [[reverse takeover]]. He managed to list the company in 1999 by acquiring Paramount Publishing Group in October of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tsang|first=Denise|date=1999-09-01|title=Paramount signs printing contract with Next|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/292376/paramount-signs-printing-contract-next|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-23|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ASIANOW - Asiaweek {{!}} Jimmy Lai: The Maverick vs. The Establishment {{!}} Page 4 {{!}} 12/03/99|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1203/jimmylai4.html|access-date=2020-07-23|website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref>
Lai had frequently faced hostility from the many Beijing-backed tycoons, including attempts to force supplier boycotts of his companies. Major Hong Kong property developers and top companies advertised only in competing publications not owned by Lai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai: Media tycoon chooses freedom over profit|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Jimmy-Lai-Media-tycoon-chooses-freedom-over-profit|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Nikkei Asian Review|language=en-GB}}</ref> He also faced a lengthy battle to list on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]], which Lai sidestepped through a [[reverse takeover]]. He managed to list the company in 1999 by acquiring Paramount Publishing Group in October of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tsang|first=Denise|date=1999-09-01|title=Paramount signs printing contract with Next|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/292376/paramount-signs-printing-contract-next|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-23|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ASIANOW - Asiaweek {{!}} Jimmy Lai: The Maverick vs. The Establishment {{!}} Page 4 {{!}} 12/03/99|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1203/jimmylai4.html|access-date=2020-07-23|website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref>


==Other companies==
==Other companies==
During the [[Dot-com bubble|dot-com boom]] of the late 1990s, Lai started an Internet-based [[Grocery store|grocery retailer]] that offered home delivery services, adMart.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2000-10-23|title=Q&A With Ad Mart's Jimmy Lai|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2000-10-23/q-and-a-with-ad-marts-jimmy-lai|access-date=2020-09-09}}</ref> The business expanded its product scope beyond groceries to include electronics and office supplies, but was shut down after losing between $100 and $150 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Story Details - Alumni - Harvard Business School|url=https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=4419|access-date=2020-07-23|website=www.alumni.hbs.edu}}</ref> Lai attributed this business failure to overconfidence and a lack of viable business strategy.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Isabella|date=22 January 2001|title=Taipei's Next|work=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2001/0122/jimmy.lai.html|accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref>
During the [[Dot-com bubble|dot-com boom]] of the late 1990s, Lai started an Internet-based [[Grocery store|grocery retailer]] that offered home delivery services, adMart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloomberg - Are you a robot?|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=351eb850-cca4-11ea-be31-bd0b7675758f&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAwMC0xMC0yMy9xLWFuZC1hLXdpdGgtYWQtbWFydHMtamltbXktbGFp|access-date=2020-07-23|website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> The business expanded its product scope beyond groceries to include electronics and office supplies, but was shut down after losing between $100 and $150 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Story Details - Alumni - Harvard Business School|url=https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=4419|access-date=2020-07-23|website=www.alumni.hbs.edu}}</ref> Lai attributed this business failure to overconfidence and a lack of viable business strategy.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Isabella|date=22 January 2001|title=Taipei's Next|work=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2001/0122/jimmy.lai.html|accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref>


In 2011, Next Media reportedly sold 70 per cent stake of Next Media's subsidiary Colored World Holdings (CWH, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) to Sum Tat Ventures (STV, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands), a private company 100 per cent owned by Jimmy Lai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nextmedia.com/investor/pdf/ir2011e.pdf |title=Welcome to Next Digital Limited |website=Nextmedia.com |date= |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref> CWH was estimated to have net asset value of US$6.1 million. STV paid US$100 million in cash for 70 per cent stake of CWH. In 2013, STV paid another US$20 million for the remaining 30 per cent stake of CWH.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nextmedia.com/investor/pdf/ir2013e.pdf |title=Welcome to Next Digital Limited |website=Nextmedia.com |date= |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref> CWH itself had its assets sold in 2011, and ceased operation in 2011. In total, STV paid US$120 million in cash for CWH. On Lai's Form 3B disclosure form, STV is listed as having the same correspondence address as Next Media in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdinotice.hkex.com.hk/di/NSForm3B.aspx?fn=50628&sa2=ad&sid=22940107&corpn=Next+Media+Ltd.&sd=28%2F09%2F2004&ed=04%2F02%2F2014&sa1=cl&scsd=26%2F06%2F2004&sced=26%2F06%2F2014&sc=0282&src=MAIN&lang=EN& |title=Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited |website=Sdinotice.hkex.com.hk |date=18 November 2013 |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref>
In 2011, Next Media reportedly sold 70% stake of Next Media's subsidiary Colored World Holdings (CWH, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) to Sum Tat Ventures (STV, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands), a private company 100% owned by Jimmy Lai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nextmedia.com/investor/pdf/ir2011e.pdf |title=Welcome to Next Digital Limited |website=Nextmedia.com |date= |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref> CWH was estimated to have net asset value of US$6.1 million. STV paid US$100 million in cash for 70% stake of CWH. In 2013, STV paid another US$20 million in cash for the remaining 30% stake of CWH.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nextmedia.com/investor/pdf/ir2013e.pdf |title=Welcome to Next Digital Limited |website=Nextmedia.com |date= |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref> CWH itself had its assets sold in 2011, and ceased operation in 2011. In total, STV paid US$120 million in cash for CWH. On Lai's Form 3B disclosure form, STV is listed as having the same correspondence address as Next Media in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdinotice.hkex.com.hk/di/NSForm3B.aspx?fn=50628&sa2=ad&sid=22940107&corpn=Next+Media+Ltd.&sd=28%2F09%2F2004&ed=04%2F02%2F2014&sa1=cl&scsd=26%2F06%2F2004&sced=26%2F06%2F2014&sc=0282&src=MAIN&lang=EN& |title=Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited |website=Sdinotice.hkex.com.hk |date=18 November 2013 |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref>


Near the end of 2013, Lai spent approximately US$73 million (or NT$2.3 billion) to purchase a 2 per cent stake (~17 million shares) in Taiwanese electronics manufacturer [[HTC]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://bambooinnovator.com/2013/11/02/hong-kong-media-and-giordano-fashion-magnate-jimmy-lai-acquires-2-of-htc/ |title=Hong Kong media and Giordano fashion magnate Jimmy Lai acquires 2% of HTC |publisher=Bamboo Innovator |date=2 November 2013 |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref>
Near the end of 2013, Lai spent approximately US$73 million (or NT$2.3 billion) to purchase 2% stake (~17 million shares) in Taiwanese electronics manufacturer [[HTC]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://bambooinnovator.com/2013/11/02/hong-kong-media-and-giordano-fashion-magnate-jimmy-lai-acquires-2-of-htc/ |title=Hong Kong media and Giordano fashion magnate Jimmy Lai acquires 2% of HTC |publisher=Bamboo Innovator |date=2 November 2013 |accessdate=3 February 2016}}</ref>


== Activities in Myanmar==
==Political activity in Myanmar==

In 2014, leaked documents showed Jimmy Lai paid former US deputy defence secretary and former World Bank president [[Paul Wolfowitz]] US$75,000 for his help with projects in Myanmar. Lai also reportedly remitted approximately US$213,000 to businessman Phone Win, with whom Lai's Hong Kong-registered Best Combo company reportedly collaborated on Yangon real estate projects.<ref name="wolfowitz">{{cite news |last1=Bookbinder |first1=Alex |last2=Boehler |first2=Patrick |title=Jimmy Lai paid Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for help in Myanmar |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1557390/jimmy-lai-paid-paul-wolfowitz-us75000-help-myanmar |work=South China Morning Post |date=23 July 2014}}</ref>
Jimmy Lai had been a financial backer of Myanmar opposition Yuza Maw Htoon. He was reported to remit US$220,000, which is equivalent to about HK$1.71 million, to Yuza Maw Htoon's Singapore bank account. The remittance was made by four times between June 2013 and August 2013. It was reported HSBC suspended Lai's account on 15th October 2013 for money laundry concerns. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai continues to sell assets to raise cash, entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre offered for sale at 22% discount|url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/jimmy-lai-continues-to-sell-assets-to-raise-cash-entire-floor-of-tai-ping-industrial-centre-offered-for-sale-at-22-discount/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=Dim Sun Daily}}</ref> In 2014, leaked document showed Jimmy Lai paid former US deputy defence secretary and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for his help with projects in Myanmar. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Lai paid Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for help in Myanmar|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1557390/jimmy-lai-paid-paul-wolfowitz-us75000-help-myanmar|access-date=2014-07-23|website=South China Morning Post}}</ref>


==Political activity in Hong Kong==
==Political activity in Hong Kong==
[[File:Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.jpg|thumb|Lai and [[Martin Lee]] at [[1 July marches]], 2013]]
[[File:Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.jpg|thumb|Lai and [[Martin Lee]] at [[1 July marches]], 2013]]
Lai is a longtime champion of the Hong Kong [[Pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy]] movement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong Newspaper Owner Arrested for Alleged Unlawful Assembly|url=https://time.com/5792171/apple-daily-jimmy-lai-arrested/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-02-28|title=Pro-democracy Hong Kong media mogul arrested|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51669453|access-date=2020-07-22}}</ref> According to Lai, ''[[The Road to Serfdom]]'' by [[Friedrich Hayek]] inspired him to fight for freedom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Could Admart be Jimmy Lai's last stand?|url=https://www.gluckman.com/JimmyLai.htm|access-date=2020-07-23|website=www.gluckman.com}}</ref> His advocacy had been expressed through his business ventures, such as distributing Giordano t-shirts with portraits of student leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASIANOW - Asiaweek {{!}} Jimmy Lai: The Maverick vs. The Establishment {{!}} 12/03/99|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1203/cover1.html|access-date=2020-07-23|website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref> His high-profile support for the pro-democracy movements came under strong condemnation from the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong Media Tycoon Laments Hong Kong’s Future Under Looming National Security Law {{!}} Voice of America - English|url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/hong-kong-media-tycoon-laments-hong-kongs-future-under-looming-national-security|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.voanews.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Case of Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong's Press Freedom Canary?|url=https://cpj.org/reports/1997/09/page2/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Committee to Protect Journalists|language=en-US}}</ref>
Lai is a longtime champion of the [[Pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy]] movements in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong Newspaper Owner Arrested for Alleged Unlawful Assembly|url=https://time.com/5792171/apple-daily-jimmy-lai-arrested/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-02-28|title=Pro-democracy Hong Kong media mogul arrested|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51669453|access-date=2020-07-22}}</ref> According to Lai, his reading of [[The Road to Serfdom]] by [[Friedrich Hayek]] inspired him to fight for the pursuit of freedom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Could Admart be Jimmy Lai's last stand?|url=https://www.gluckman.com/JimmyLai.htm|access-date=2020-07-23|website=www.gluckman.com}}</ref> His advocacy had been expressed through his business ventures, such as distributing Giordano t-shirts with portraits of student leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASIANOW - Asiaweek {{!}} Jimmy Lai: The Maverick vs. The Establishment {{!}} 12/03/99|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1203/cover1.html|access-date=2020-07-23|website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref> His high-profile support for the pro-democracy movements came under strong condemnation from the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong Media Tycoon Laments Hong Kong’s Future Under Looming National Security Law {{!}} Voice of America - English|url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/hong-kong-media-tycoon-laments-hong-kongs-future-under-looming-national-security|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.voanews.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Case of Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong's Press Freedom Canary?|url=https://cpj.org/reports/1997/09/page2/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Committee to Protect Journalists|language=en-US}}</ref>


On 13 December 2014, Lai was one of the pro-democracy leaders arrested during the clearance of the Admiralty protest site of the [[2014 Hong Kong protests|Umbrella Movement]]. On the following day, Lai announced he would step down as head of Next Media "to spend more time with his family and further pursue his personal interests."<ref name="scmpfire">{{cite news|last1=Mok|first1=Danny|title=Firebombs hurled at home of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and Next Media HQ in 'attack on press freedom'|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678574/firebombs-hurled-jimmy-lais-home-and-next-media-headquarters|work=South China Morning Post|date=12 January 2015}}</ref>
On 13 December 2014, Lai was one of the pro-democracy leaders arrested during the clearance of the Admiralty protest site of the [[2014 Hong Kong protests|Umbrella Movement]]. On the following day, Lai announced he would step down as head of Next Media "to spend more time with his family and further pursue his personal interests."<ref name="scmpfire">{{cite news|last1=Mok|first1=Danny|title=Firebombs hurled at home of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and Next Media HQ in 'attack on press freedom'|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678574/firebombs-hurled-jimmy-lais-home-and-next-media-headquarters|work=South China Morning Post|date=12 January 2015}}</ref>


Lai had been the target of hostile attacks and disturbances, including the leaving of machetes, axes and threatening messages in his driveway.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-01-12|title=Firebomb attacks on HK media tycoon|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-30776405|access-date=2020-07-22}}</ref> He had been rammed by a car, and his home was firebombed several times, most recently in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramzy|first=Austin|date=2015-01-12|title=Firebombs Thrown at Jimmy Lai's Home and Company in Hong Kong|url=https://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/firebombs-thrown-at-jimmy-lais-home-and-company-in-hong-kong/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Sinosphere Blog|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-09-05|title=Home of Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Hit With Firebombs, Says Cable TV|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-05/home-of-hong-kong-media-tycoon-hit-with-firebombs-cable-tv-says|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Next Media spokesman Mark Simon condemned these attacks and stated, "This is a continual effort to intimidate the press in Hong Kong. This is raw and pure intimidation."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong media tycoon’s home and former offices firebombed|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/12/controversial-hongkongmediatycoonshomefirebombed.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=america.aljazeera.com}}</ref> Some activists felt that the [[Hong Kong Police Force]] and the [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong government]], which have been Chinese-controlled since the [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|handover in 1997]], did not always follow up on these misconducts against Lai, and that culprits are rarely found.<ref name="reuters1">{{cite news|date=12 January 2015|title=Controversial Hong Kong media tycoon's home firebombed|language=en-GB|website=Reuters UK|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/01/12/uk-hongkong-lai-firebomb-idUKKBN0KL05Q20150112|accessdate=30 November 2015}}</ref>
Lai had been the target of hostile attacks and disturbances, including machetes, axes and threatening messages left in his driveway.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-01-12|title=Firebomb attacks on HK media tycoon|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-30776405|access-date=2020-07-22}}</ref> He had been rammed by a car, and his home was firebombed several times, most recently in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramzy|first=Austin|date=2015-01-12|title=Firebombs Thrown at Jimmy Lai's Home and Company in Hong Kong|url=https://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/firebombs-thrown-at-jimmy-lais-home-and-company-in-hong-kong/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Sinosphere Blog|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloomberg - Are you a robot?|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=a8a43250-cc04-11ea-ac0c-65af7b650ce5&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAxOS0wOS0wNS9ob21lLW9mLWhvbmcta29uZy1tZWRpYS10eWNvb24taGl0LXdpdGgtZmlyZWJvbWJzLWNhYmxlLXR2LXNheXM=|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> Next Media spokesman Mark Simon condemned these attacks and stated, "This is a continual effort to intimidate the press in Hong Kong. This is raw and pure intimidation."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong media tycoon’s home and former offices firebombed|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/12/controversial-hongkongmediatycoonshomefirebombed.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=america.aljazeera.com}}</ref> Some activists felt that the [[Hong Kong Police Force]] and the [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong government]], which had been Chinese-controlled since the [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|handover in 1997]], did not always follow up on these misconducts against Lai, and that culprits are rarely found.<ref name="reuters1">{{cite news|date=12 January 2015|title=Controversial Hong Kong media tycoon's home firebombed|language=en-GB|website=Reuters UK|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/01/12/uk-hongkong-lai-firebomb-idUKKBN0KL05Q20150112|accessdate=30 November 2015}}</ref>


During the early hours of 12 January 2015, two masked men hurled petrol bombs at Lai's home on Kadoorie Avenue in [[Kowloon Tong]]. At the same time, a petrol bomb was thrown at the [[Next Media]] headquarters in [[Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Invisible Hand on Hong Kong's Media|url=https://rsf.org/sites/default/files/rapport_hong-kong_gb_def_0.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Reporters Without Borders}}</ref> The fires were extinguished by security guards. The perpetrators fled and two cars used in the attacks were found torched in [[Shek Kip Mei]] and [[Cheung Sha Wan]]. The crimes were denounced as an "attack on press freedom".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678574/firebombs-hurled-jimmy-lais-home-and-next-media-headquarters|title=Firebombs hurled at home of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and Next Media HQ in 'attack on press freedom'|publisher=South China Morning Post|accessdate=13 January 2015|date=12 January 2015|last1=Mok|first1=Danny|last2=Lo|first2=Clifford|last3=Cheung|first3=Tony}}</ref>
During the early hours of 12 January 2015, two masked men hurled petrol bombs at Lai's home on Kadoorie Avenue in [[Kowloon Tong]]. At the same time, a petrol bomb was thrown at the [[Next Media]] headquarters in [[Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Invisible Hand on Hong Kong's Media|url=https://rsf.org/sites/default/files/rapport_hong-kong_gb_def_0.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Reporters Without Borders}}</ref> The fires were extinguished by security guards. The perpetrators fled and two cars used in the attacks were found torched in [[Shek Kip Mei]] and [[Cheung Sha Wan]]. The crimes were denounced as an "attack on press freedom".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678574/firebombs-hurled-jimmy-lais-home-and-next-media-headquarters|title=Firebombs hurled at home of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and Next Media HQ in 'attack on press freedom'|publisher=South China Morning Post|accessdate=13 January 2015|date=12 January 2015|last1=Mok|first1=Danny|last2=Lo|first2=Clifford|last3=Cheung|first3=Tony}}</ref>


On 28 February 2020, Lai was arrested for illegal assembly during his attendance in the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]], and for allegedly intimidating an ''Oriental Daily'' reporter after the reporter took photos of him in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-28|title=Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai charged over August 31 march, intimidation case|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3052789/hong-kong-protests-apple-daily-owner-jimmy-lai-arrested|access-date=2020-07-22|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> His case was scheduled to be heard at Eastern Law Court on 5 May.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2020/02/28/hong-kong-police-arrest-pro-democracy-newspaper-tycoon-jimmy-lai-labour-party-vice-chair-lee-cheuk-yan/ |title = Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy newspaper tycoon Jimmy Lai and Labour Party vice-chair Lee Cheuk-yan|first1=Rachel|last1=Wong|first2=Tom|last2=Grundy|newspaper=[[HKFP]]|date = 28 February 2020|access-date = 3 April 2020}}</ref> On 18 April 2020, Lai was among 15 high-profile democracy figures arrested in Hong Kong. According to a police statement, his arrest was based on suspicion of organising, publicizing or taking part in several unauthorized assemblies between August and October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/world/asia/hong-kong-arrests.html |title = Amid Pandemic, Hong Kong Arrests Major Pro-Democracy Figures|first1=Elaine|last1=Yu|first2=Austin|last2=Ramzy|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date = 18 April 2020|access-date = 18 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/04/18/8-hong-kong-pro-democracy-figures-arrested-in-latest-police-round-up-party-says/ |title = 15 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested in latest police round up|first=Rachel|last=Wong|newspaper=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|date = 18 April 2020|access-date = 18 April 2020}}</ref>
On 28 February 2020, Lai was arrested for illegal assembly during his attendance in the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]]. He also faced one charge of intimidation using foul language towards a reporter in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-28|title=Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai charged over August 31 march, intimidation case|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3052789/hong-kong-protests-apple-daily-owner-jimmy-lai-arrested|access-date=2020-07-22|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> His case was scheduled to be heard at Eastern Law Court on 5 May.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2020/02/28/hong-kong-police-arrest-pro-democracy-newspaper-tycoon-jimmy-lai-labour-party-vice-chair-lee-cheuk-yan/ |title = Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy newspaper tycoon Jimmy Lai and Labour Party vice-chair Lee Cheuk-yan|first1=Rachel|last1=Wong|first2=Tom|last2=Grundy|newspaper=[[HKFP]]|date = 28 February 2020|access-date = 3 April 2020}}</ref> On 18 April, Lai was among the 15 high-profile democracy figures arrested in Hong Kong. According to a police statement, his arrest was based on suspicion of organizing, publicizing or taking part in several unauthorized assemblies between August and October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/world/asia/hong-kong-arrests.html |title = Amid Pandemic, Hong Kong Arrests Major Pro-Democracy Figures|first1=Elaine|last1=Yu|first2=Austin|last2=Ramzy|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date = 18 April 2020|access-date = 18 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/04/18/8-hong-kong-pro-democracy-figures-arrested-in-latest-police-round-up-party-says/ |title = 15 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested in latest police round up|first=Rachel|last=Wong|newspaper=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|date = 18 April 2020|access-date = 18 April 2020}}</ref>

On 3 September 2020, Lai was found not guilty of the ''Oriental Daily'' criminal intimidation charge.<ref name="notguilty2017">{{cite news |title=Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai cleared of criminal intimidation against reporter |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/09/03/breaking-hong-kong-pro-democracy-media-mogul-jimmy-lai-cleared-of-criminal-intimidation-against-reporter/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=3 September 2020}}</ref>


==National security law and arrest==
==National security law and arrest==
{{main|The Ransacking of Next Media Headquarter}}
{{main|Next Digital raid and arrests}}


[[File:Next Media Company Limited (revised).jpg|thumb|Next Digital offices, raided by police on 10 August 2020]]
[[File:Next Media Company Limited (revised).jpg|thumb|Next Digital offices, raided by police on 10 August 2020]]
Line 96: Line 97:
On 10 August 2020, Lai was arrested at his home for alleged collusion with foreign forces (a crime under the new national security law) as well as fraud. Other Next Digital staff were also arrested, and police searched the home of both Lai and his son.<ref name="20200810arrest"/> Later in the morning, approximately 200 Hong Kong police officers raided the offices of ''Apple Daily'' in [[Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate]], seizing around 25 boxes of materials.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds">{{cite news |title=HKMAO applauds arrests of Jimmy Lai and others |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1542935-20200810.htm |publisher=RTHK |date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
On 10 August 2020, Lai was arrested at his home for alleged collusion with foreign forces (a crime under the new national security law) as well as fraud. Other Next Digital staff were also arrested, and police searched the home of both Lai and his son.<ref name="20200810arrest"/> Later in the morning, approximately 200 Hong Kong police officers raided the offices of ''Apple Daily'' in [[Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate]], seizing around 25 boxes of materials.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds">{{cite news |title=HKMAO applauds arrests of Jimmy Lai and others |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1542935-20200810.htm |publisher=RTHK |date=10 August 2020}}</ref>


After Lai was arrested, the stock price of [[Next Digital]] rose as high as 331 per cent on Tuesday. Bail was set at HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,705), with a [[surety]] of HK$200,000 (approx. US$25,803). ''Apple Daily'' said that more than 500,000 copies of its subsequent day's paper were printed, five times the usual number.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=August 11, 2020|title=Apple Daily: Company sees huge rise in stock after crackdown|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53732436|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=BBC}}</ref> The front page of Apple Daily showed an image of Mr Lai in handcuffs with the headline: "Apple Daily must fight on. <ref name=":1" />
After Lai was arrested, the stock price of [[Next Digital]] rose as high as 331% on Tuesday. [[Bail]] was [https://themilsource.com/2020/08/12/jimmy-lai-released-on-bail-next-digital-stock-price-soars/ set] at HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,705), with a [[surety]] of HK$200,000 (approx. US$25,803). The supporters bought multiple copies to show the support for Lai and his Next Digital. It was said that more than 500,000 copies were printed, five times the usual number.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=August 11, 2020|title=Apple Daily: Company sees huge rise in stock after crackdown|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53732436|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=BBC}}</ref> The front page of Apple Daily showed an image of Mr Lai in handcuffs with the headline: "Apple Daily must fight on. <ref name=":1" />


The [[Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office]], an agency of mainland China, welcomed the arrest and called for Lai to be severely punished.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds"/> However, the day's events were widely viewed as an attack on the free press. The [[Hong Kong Journalists Association]] described the raid as "horrendous" and unprecedented in Hong Kong.<ref name="raisesalarm">{{cite news |title=Journalist group raises alarm |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/152756/Journalist-group-raises-alarm |work=The Standard |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> The [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]] accused the government of trying to create a [[chilling effect]] in the Hong Kong media industry.<ref name="over100">{{cite news |last1=Grundy |first1=Tom |title=Over 100 police officers raid office of Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/10/scores-of-police-raid-office-of-hong-kong-pro-democracy-newspaper-apple-daily/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> Former governor [[Chris Patten]] called the events "the most outrageous assault yet" on Hong Kong's press.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds"/> The head of the [[University of Hong Kong]] journalism department called the raid an "outrageous, shameful attack on press freedom".<ref name="over100"/>
The [[Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office]], an agency of mainland China, welcomed the arrest and called for Lai to be severely punished.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds"/> However, the day's events were widely viewed as an attack on the free press. The [[Hong Kong Journalists Association]] described the raid as "horrendous" and unprecedented in Hong Kong.<ref name="raisesalarm">{{cite news |title=Journalist group raises alarm |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/152756/Journalist-group-raises-alarm |work=The Standard |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> The Democratic Party accused the government of trying to create a [[chilling effect]] in the Hong Kong media industry.<ref name="over100">{{cite news |last1=Grundy |first1=Tom |title=Over 100 police officers raid office of Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/10/scores-of-police-raid-office-of-hong-kong-pro-democracy-newspaper-apple-daily/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> Former governor [[Chris Patten]] called the events "the most outrageous assault yet" on Hong Kong's press.<ref name="HKMAOapplauds"/> The head of the [[University of Hong Kong]] journalism department called the raid an "outrageous, shameful attack on press freedom".<ref name="over100"/>


Other pro-democracy figures were arrested for national security crimes on the same day, including [[Agnes Chow]], Wilson Li, Andy Li, and at least four others.<ref name="nslarrest">{{cite news |title=據報前眾志成員周庭涉違國安法被捕　一批便衣抵大埔住所 |url=https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%93%9A%E5%A0%B1%E5%89%8D%E7%9C%BE%E5%BF%97%E6%88%90%E5%93%A1%E5%91%A8%E5%BA%AD%E8%A2%AB%E6%8D%95-%E4%B8%80%E6%89%B9%E4%BE%BF%E8%A1%A3%E6%8A%B5%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%94%E4%BD%8F%E6%89%80/ |work=[[Stand News]] |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="wilsonli">{{cite news |last1=Grundy |first1=Tom |title=Hong Kong security law: Freelancer for UK’s ITN among two more arrested, as journalism watchdogs sound alarm |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/10/hong-kong-security-law-freelancer-for-uks-itn-among-two-more-arrested-as-journalism-watchdogs-sound-alarm/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
Other pro-democracy figures were arrested for national security crimes on the same day, including [[Agnes Chow]], Wilson Li, and Andy Li, and at least four others.<ref name="nslarrest">{{cite news |title=據報前眾志成員周庭涉違國安法被捕　一批便衣抵大埔住所 |url=https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%93%9A%E5%A0%B1%E5%89%8D%E7%9C%BE%E5%BF%97%E6%88%90%E5%93%A1%E5%91%A8%E5%BA%AD%E8%A2%AB%E6%8D%95-%E4%B8%80%E6%89%B9%E4%BE%BF%E8%A1%A3%E6%8A%B5%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%94%E4%BD%8F%E6%89%80/ |work=[[Stand News]] |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="wilsonli">{{cite news |last1=Grundy |first1=Tom |title=Hong Kong security law: Freelancer for UK’s ITN among two more arrested, as journalism watchdogs sound alarm |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/10/hong-kong-security-law-freelancer-for-uks-itn-among-two-more-arrested-as-journalism-watchdogs-sound-alarm/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=10 August 2020}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 20:50, 19 November 2020

Jimmy Lai
黎智英
Lai at 2019 Foundation for Defense of Democraitcies
Born8 December 1948 (1948-12-08) (age 75)
Guangzhou, China
NationalityUnited Kingdom
OccupationEntrepreneur
TitleFounder and chairman, Next Digital
Websitenextmedia.com
Jimmy Lai
Chinese黎智英
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLí Zhìyīng
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpinglai4 zi3 jing1

Lai Chee-Ying (Chinese: 黎智英), known professionally as Jimmy Lai, is a Hong Kong entrepreneur and. He founded Giordano, an Asian clothing retailer, Next Digital (formerly Next Media), a Hong Kong-listed media company, and popular newspaper Apple Daily. He is one of the main contributors to the pro-democracy camp, especially to the Democratic Party. Although he is known as a Hong Kong political figure, he has been a UK national since 1996 [2]

A prominent critic of the PRC government, Lai was arrested on 10 August 2020 by the Hong Kong police on "charges of violating the territory's new national security law",[3][4][5] an action which prompted widespread criticism.[6][7][8] He is also facing charge of threatening a reporter from Oriental Daily after he took photos of Lai at the annual Tiananmen Square vigil in 2017. On 25 August 2020, Hong Kong court rules evidence sufficient in the case [9][10]

Early life

Lai was born in Guangzhou, China in December 1948. At the age of 12, he entered Hong Kong as a stowaway on a boat.[11] Upon his arrival, Lai began work as a child labourer in a garment factory for a wage of the equivalent of US$8 per month.[12]

Founding of Giordano

Lai's factory work saw him rise to the position of factory manager.[13] In 1975, Lai used his year-end bonus on Hong Kong stocks to raise cash and bought a bankrupt garment factory, Comitex, where he began producing sweaters. Customers included J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, and other U.S. retailers.[14]

By rewarding sellers with financial incentives in Hong Kong, he built the chain into an Asia-wide retailer. Giordano was said to have more than 8,000 employees in 2,400 shops in 30 countries.[15]

Lai has kept Comitex active as a shell company since he left the garment industry for media and politics in the 1990s. After his arrest under National Security Law on August 2020, Jimmy Lai tried to sell his asset in Hong Kong, including the entire floor of Tai Ping Industrial Centre. The current owner of the property is Comitex Knitters Ltd.[16] Comitex, along with other private companies controlled by Lai was reported to be the financial tools for his political activities and donations. [17]

Publications

Lai pioneered a reader-centric philosophy with paparazzi journalism in Hong Kong based on publications such as USA Today and The Sun.[18] His best-selling Next Magazine and Apple Daily newspaper, featured a mix of racy tabloid material and news items oriented to the mass market with plenty of colour and graphics that attracts a wide range of readers, some of whom are also critics of Lai and his ideology.[19]

Hong Kong publications

Owing to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Lai became an advocate of democracy and critic of the People's Republic of China government.[20] He began publishing Next Magazine, which combined tabloid sensationalism with hard-hitting political and business reporting. He proceeded to found other magazines, including Sudden Weekly (忽然一週), Eat & Travel Weekly (飲食男女), Trading Express/Auto Express (交易通/搵車快線) and the youth-oriented Easy Finder (壹本便利).[21]

In 1995, as the Hong Kong handover approached, Lai founded Apple Daily, a newspaper start-up that he financed with $100 million of his own money.[22] The newspaper's circulation rose to 400,000 copies by 1997,[23] which was the territory's second largest among 60 other newspapers.[24] According to Lai, he aspired to maintain freedom of speech in Hong Kong through Apple Daily.[25] In addition to promoting democracy, Lai's publications often ruffled feathers of fellow Hong Kong tycoons by exposing their personal foibles and relations with local government.[26]

In 2003, ahead of the record-breaking pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong during July, the cover of Next Magazine featured a photo-montage of the territory's embattled chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa taking a pie in the face. The magazine urged readers to take to the streets while Apple Daily distributed stickers calling for Tung to resign.[27]

In 2006, Sudden Weekly and Next Magazine ranked first and second in circulation for Hong Kong's magazine market.[28] Apple Daily became the No. 2 newspaper in Hong Kong.[28]

In 2020, Lai launched an English version of Apple Daily.[29]


However Next Digital, the list company, has struggled with huge financial deficit for years. The stock price has been hovering between HK$0.1 and HK$0.5, less than US$0.05 in the past five years (2015-2020). The cumulative losses in the past five years exceed HK$1.9 billion. [30]


Taiwan publications

Lai launched Taiwanese editions of Next Magazine in 2001 and Apple Daily in 2003, taking on heavily established rivals who made considerable effort to thwart him. Rival publishers pressed advertisers to boycott and distributors not to undertake home delivery. His Taiwan offices were vandalised on numerous occasions.[31] As the publications grew to have the largest readership in their category, the advertising boycotts ended.[28]

In October 2006, Lai launched Sharp Daily (Shuang Bao in Mandarin), a free daily newspaper targeting Taipei commuters.[32] The company also launched Me! Magazine in Taiwan.[33]

In building Taiwan's most popular newspaper, Apple Daily, and magazine, Next Magazine, Lai's racy publications were described as having a great impact on the country's hitherto staid media culture.[34]

Publication challenges

Lai's publications remained banned in China since their inception.[13] The ban originated from Lai's 1994 newspaper column, where he told Premier of the PRC Li Peng, seen as a driving force behind the Tiananmen Square crackdown, to "drop dead".[35] He also called the Communist Party of China "a monopoly that charges a premium for lousy service".[36] China's government retaliated against Lai by starting a shut-down of Giordano shops, prompting him to sell out of the company he founded in order to save it.[13] In addition to having his publications banned in China, businesses had distanced themselves from placing advertisements in Apple Daily to avoid retaliation from the Chinese government.[37][38]

Lai had frequently faced hostility from the many Beijing-backed tycoons, including attempts to force supplier boycotts of his companies. Major Hong Kong property developers and top companies advertised only in competing publications not owned by Lai.[39] He also faced a lengthy battle to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which Lai sidestepped through a reverse takeover. He managed to list the company in 1999 by acquiring Paramount Publishing Group in October of that year.[40][41]

Other companies

During the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, Lai started an Internet-based grocery retailer that offered home delivery services, adMart.[42] The business expanded its product scope beyond groceries to include electronics and office supplies, but was shut down after losing between $100 and $150 million.[43] Lai attributed this business failure to overconfidence and a lack of viable business strategy.[44]

In 2011, Next Media reportedly sold 70% stake of Next Media's subsidiary Colored World Holdings (CWH, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) to Sum Tat Ventures (STV, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands), a private company 100% owned by Jimmy Lai.[45] CWH was estimated to have net asset value of US$6.1 million. STV paid US$100 million in cash for 70% stake of CWH. In 2013, STV paid another US$20 million in cash for the remaining 30% stake of CWH.[46] CWH itself had its assets sold in 2011, and ceased operation in 2011. In total, STV paid US$120 million in cash for CWH. On Lai's Form 3B disclosure form, STV is listed as having the same correspondence address as Next Media in Hong Kong.[47]

Near the end of 2013, Lai spent approximately US$73 million (or NT$2.3 billion) to purchase 2% stake (~17 million shares) in Taiwanese electronics manufacturer HTC.[48]

Political activity in Myanmar

Jimmy Lai had been a financial backer of Myanmar opposition Yuza Maw Htoon. He was reported to remit US$220,000, which is equivalent to about HK$1.71 million, to Yuza Maw Htoon's Singapore bank account. The remittance was made by four times between June 2013 and August 2013. It was reported HSBC suspended Lai's account on 15th October 2013 for money laundry concerns. [49] In 2014, leaked document showed Jimmy Lai paid former US deputy defence secretary and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz US$75,000 for his help with projects in Myanmar. [50]

Political activity in Hong Kong

Lai and Martin Lee at 1 July marches, 2013

Lai is a longtime champion of the pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong.[51][52] According to Lai, his reading of The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek inspired him to fight for the pursuit of freedom.[53] His advocacy had been expressed through his business ventures, such as distributing Giordano t-shirts with portraits of student leaders.[54] His high-profile support for the pro-democracy movements came under strong condemnation from the Chinese government.[55][56]

On 13 December 2014, Lai was one of the pro-democracy leaders arrested during the clearance of the Admiralty protest site of the Umbrella Movement. On the following day, Lai announced he would step down as head of Next Media "to spend more time with his family and further pursue his personal interests."[57]

Lai had been the target of hostile attacks and disturbances, including machetes, axes and threatening messages left in his driveway.[58] He had been rammed by a car, and his home was firebombed several times, most recently in 2019.[59][60] Next Media spokesman Mark Simon condemned these attacks and stated, "This is a continual effort to intimidate the press in Hong Kong. This is raw and pure intimidation."[61] Some activists felt that the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong government, which had been Chinese-controlled since the handover in 1997, did not always follow up on these misconducts against Lai, and that culprits are rarely found.[62]

During the early hours of 12 January 2015, two masked men hurled petrol bombs at Lai's home on Kadoorie Avenue in Kowloon Tong. At the same time, a petrol bomb was thrown at the Next Media headquarters in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate.[63] The fires were extinguished by security guards. The perpetrators fled and two cars used in the attacks were found torched in Shek Kip Mei and Cheung Sha Wan. The crimes were denounced as an "attack on press freedom".[64]

On 28 February 2020, Lai was arrested for illegal assembly during his attendance in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. He also faced one charge of intimidation using foul language towards a reporter in 2017.[65] His case was scheduled to be heard at Eastern Law Court on 5 May.[66] On 18 April, Lai was among the 15 high-profile democracy figures arrested in Hong Kong. According to a police statement, his arrest was based on suspicion of organizing, publicizing or taking part in several unauthorized assemblies between August and October 2019.[67][68]

National security law and arrest

Main article: Next Digital raid and arrests
Next Digital offices, raided by police on 10 August 2020

On 30 June 2020, the Hong Kong national security law was enacted by China's parliament, by-passing the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Before the law was enacted, Lai called it "a death knell for Hong Kong" and alleged that it would destroy the territory's rule of law.[69]

On 10 August 2020, Lai was arrested at his home for alleged collusion with foreign forces (a crime under the new national security law) as well as fraud. Other Next Digital staff were also arrested, and police searched the home of both Lai and his son.[69] Later in the morning, approximately 200 Hong Kong police officers raided the offices of Apple Daily in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, seizing around 25 boxes of materials.[70]

After Lai was arrested, the stock price of Next Digital rose as high as 331% on Tuesday. Bail was set at HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,705), with a surety of HK$200,000 (approx. US$25,803). The supporters bought multiple copies to show the support for Lai and his Next Digital. It was said that more than 500,000 copies were printed, five times the usual number.[71] The front page of Apple Daily showed an image of Mr Lai in handcuffs with the headline: "Apple Daily must fight on. [71]

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, an agency of mainland China, welcomed the arrest and called for Lai to be severely punished.[70] However, the day's events were widely viewed as an attack on the free press. The Hong Kong Journalists Association described the raid as "horrendous" and unprecedented in Hong Kong.[72] The Democratic Party accused the government of trying to create a chilling effect in the Hong Kong media industry.[8] Former governor Chris Patten called the events "the most outrageous assault yet" on Hong Kong's press.[70] The head of the University of Hong Kong journalism department called the raid an "outrageous, shameful attack on press freedom".[8]

Other pro-democracy figures were arrested for national security crimes on the same day, including Agnes Chow, Wilson Li, and Andy Li, and at least four others.[73][74]

See also

References

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  74. ^ Grundy, Tom (10 August 2020). "Hong Kong security law: Freelancer for UK's ITN among two more arrested, as journalism watchdogs sound alarm". Hong Kong Free Press.
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