Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party have introduced a resolution to honor Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist currently imprisoned in Hong Kong. The resolution designates December 8, 2025—Lai’s 78th birthday—as "Jimmy Lai Day." It also expresses congressional support for Lai, calls for his immediate and unconditional release by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, and condemns actions taken to suppress dissent in Hong Kong.
“Jimmy Lai has been a tireless advocate for democracy, and has led the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and liberty. He and his family have stood up for the unalienable rights every person is endowed with by our Creator, and his light will never be extinguished by the CCP. 'Jimmy Lai Day' honors Lai and his family, and it has strong bipartisan support in Congress,” said Moolenaar.
“Jimmy Lai’s courage in standing up for free speech, free worship, and democratic rights represents the best of Hong Kong’s struggle for freedom. As Beijing tightens its authoritarian grip, honoring his birthday as ‘Jimmy Lai Day’ is a reminder that we cannot look away from his unjust imprisonment or the suffering of thousands of other pro-democracy advocates. I urge the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to release Jimmy Lai immediately and respect the fundamental rights they promised to uphold," said Krishnamoorthi.
The Select Committee released a video sharing Lai's story internationally. The resolution has bipartisan backing from several members of Congress including Young Kim (R-CA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Max Miller (R-OH), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ)—who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
Jimmy Lai has been detained since December 2020 on charges such as “collusion with foreign forces,” “unlawful assembly,” and “inciting” others to attend a Tiananmen Square memorial vigil. Lawmakers assert these charges are questionable.
More information about Jimmy Lai's detention can be found at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55357495.
Read the full text of the resolution here.
