According to insiders, Trump urged China's Xi to free the imprisoned media magnate from Hong Kong. When the two leaders met in South Korea last week, U.S. President Donald Trump made a direct request to China's Xi Jinping to free imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, according to three people informed on the discussions and a U.S. government official.
According to one of the persons, Trump talked more generically about worries about the 77-year-old publishing mogul's health and well-being during his protracted trial on national security charges rather than discussing a specific agreement to free Lai.
According to the insider, Trump discussed the matter for less than five minutes.
"President Trump brought up Jimmy Lai's case, just as he said he would," the administration official stated.

"Both President Trump and President Xi engaged in the discussion that followed."
Given the delicate nature of the leaders' meeting, a third person who wished to remain anonymous stated, "It was raised by Trump and noted by Xi."
According to the person, Trump implied that Lai's release will improve China's reputation and U.S.-China relations.
Trump's direct intervention occurs when Lai is awaiting a decision following a trial that is generally regarded as a symbol of China's suppression of liberties and rights in the Asian financial centre due to a national security law that was put in place following widespread demonstrations in favour of democracy in 2019.

Lai, the founder of the now-closed pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, has entered a not guilty plea on two charges of conspiring to publish seditious material and conspiring to coordinate with foreign forces.
Prior to the negotiations, the U.S. president stated that he would bring up Lai's issue, but neither he nor the readouts from either side did so later.
When asked if Lai was raised during the Trump-Xi summit, the White House declined to comment. Trump's mention of the matter has not been verified.
The spokeswoman for China's embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, emphasised that Lai's "crimes have gravely undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability" but said he was unaware of any specifics pertaining to Lai from the leaders' discussion.

Any effort to tamper with the legal system or threaten Hong Kong's rule of law will be unsuccessful, according to Liu.
Despite being a British citizen, Lai's case has caused tension between Washington and Beijing. During his presidential campaign last year, Trump declared that he would "100..." get Lai out of China.
Sebastien Lai, Lai's son, complimented Trump last week and expressed his "incredibly grateful" feelings in response to earlier, unverified rumours that Trump had brought up his father's situation with Xi.
"Knowing President Trump's reputation as the Liberator in Chief, I pray that his continued support and commitment will convince President Xi to free my father before it is too late," Sebastien Lai said in a press release.

Trump praised the trade-focused negotiations with Xi as a success, citing advancements in rare earth shipments and pledges to take "strong action" on the export of chemicals used to make the highly addictive opioid fentanyl. He claimed that during the 90-minute discussions in South Korea, concerns over Taiwan were never brought up.
Lai's family and human rights organisations claim that he has been detained in solitary confinement for almost 1,700 days.
According to two people familiar with Lai's circumstances, his trial concluded in late August, and he is currently being kept in the Lai Chi Kok prison while he awaits a verdict.
His attorneys stated in court that he had been given medication and a cardiac monitor due to his palpitations.