Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (R-Ore.), co-chair of the CECC, have jointly expressed their disappointment over the commencement of Jimmy Lai's trial in Hong Kong. The trial, which began this week, has drawn criticism from lawmakers across various nations.
According to Smith, "Jimmy Lai is a man of faith and conviction, someone who fervently believed that Hong Kong’s prosperity and vitality were built on the freedoms promised to its citizens." He further added that "His trial that begins today is a political prosecution plain and simple and another sad example of the Hong Kong government’s increasingly repressive policies."
In 2020, 76-year-old Jimmy Lai was detained under Hong Kong's National Security law. His right to choose legal representation was interfered with by Beijing, leading to the appointment of lawyers selected by Hong Kong's leader. Lai faces charges related to being a national security threat due to his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and his pro-democracy stance. Additional charges are linked to Apple Daily, his newspaper company established in 1995 known for its open criticism of Beijing until it was shut down in 2021 amid allegations of collusion with foreign countries and posing national security risks in Hong Kong. The verdict is expected in March, and if found guilty, Lai could potentially face life imprisonment according to an article from BBC.
Smith further stated that "Charges against Jimmy Lai should be dropped and he should be released with over 1,000 other political prisoners," as per a press release from the CECC. He added that "Failing these steps, the U.S. should sanction the judges and prosecutors involved in this case and other National Security Law related cases, as we have consistently urged the Biden Administration to do. We will continue to demand the unconditional release of Jimmy Lai and all of Hong Kong’s political prisoners and seek ways to raise the diplomatic and reputational costs globally for the Hong Kong and PRC government’s rough dismantling of democratic freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong."
Last week, Hong Kong police increased the number of overseas activists considered fugitives from eight to thirteen, offering bounties for information leading to their capture. The rewards amount to HK$1 million (equivalent to $128,000 USD), and the targeted activists, including Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi, reside in countries such as the United States. They are wanted for various offenses including collusion with foreign countries like Lai according to an article from Reuters.
Smith has been representing New Jersey's 4th Congressional District since 1981 and is currently seeking re-election. Smith earned a degree from The College of New Jersey in 1975 and attended England's Worcester College, Oxford University in 1974. Besides his political career, Smith has managed his family's sporting goods company. He is actively involved in the Congressional-Executive Commission on China according to Ballotpedia.
