Slip of tongue or heartfelt words? Jimmy Lai says he 'hopes Taiwan becomes independent country' in court
Jimmy Lai, the anti-China Hong Kong activist and founder of Next Digital, along with three related companies linked to Apple Daily, is currently on the 115th day of trial for allegedly conspiring with foreign forces. Lai expressed his prayers for Donald Trump's re-election as U.S. President in 2020 and admitted advocating for the decoupling of China and the U.S., promoting U.S. restrictions on chip exports to China, and believing that Trump's attention to Hong Kong and promised actions against China would effectively weaken the National Security Law in the city.
Lai also admitted to advocating for Taiwan to ally with the "Quad" comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India to counter China and even slipped up in court, saying he "hopes Taiwan will become an independent country."
The defense mentioned yesterday (Jan. 7) in court the content of an interview program, "Live Chat with Jimmy Lai," on Oct. 22, 2020, and Lai's Twitter post on Oct. 27 of the same year, which both showed Lai's desire for Trump to win re-election in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, and how he "prayed daily for Trump to win."
Lai explained in court that other American politicians are "idealists," and Trump's approach to dealing with China is "correct and effective," directly impacting the situation in Hong Kong. He openly admired Trump's serious approach to the Hong Kong issue and his strong methods against China, such as halting chip exports to China.
Lai acknowledged his advocacy for the continued economic decoupling between the U.S. and China and believed that even with the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, Trump's actions could still effectively weaken the law's effectiveness.
Advocating for increased arms sales to Taiwan to show a tough stance
In a Twitter post on Nov. 2, 2020, Lai proclaimed himself as one of Trump's most ardent fans in Asia, stating that Trump "walks the talk" unlike other politicians who only talk but do not act. He believed that Trump would undoubtedly win re-election. However, after the debates between Trump and Biden, he thought that Trump might lose the election. He then posted on Twitter to support Trump, hoping to sway public opinion, including on the day of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, thanking then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his support and defense of Hong Kong and strongly condemning the arrest of eight "pan-democrats" in Hong Kong.
When Biden won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, 2020, Lai stated on "Live Chat with Jimmy Lai" the same day that he believed Biden would compromise with China, which would be "disastrous for Taiwan." Lai explained yesterday that the Trump administration had put in a lot of effort to raise Taiwan's status, making Taiwan a "political bargaining chip" for the U.S. in dealing with China, which was crucial for Taiwan. He believed that with Biden in power, the advancement of Taiwan's status would be hindered.
In an interview program on Nov. 12, 2020, Lai suggested that the U.S. should sell more weapons to Taiwan to demonstrate a tough stance against China and conduct more military exercises to show support for Taiwan. In court, Lai explained that he believed the U.S. should elevate Taiwan's status and protect Taiwan.
Advocating the formation of the "Quad" alliance to counter China
In the interview program, Lai mentioned that "Biden should make Taiwan a member of the 'Quad' alliance." When asked by the defense if he advocated for Taiwan to ally with the "Quad" composed of the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India to counter China, Lai replied, "Yes, I am advocating for it," but later retracted, saying he was not advocating against China, but rather advocating for the "protection" of Taiwan.
A judge then questioned how those four countries would allow Taiwan, which is not independent, to join. Lai initially responded, "At least I hope that Taiwan will become an independent country..." Another judge interrupted and asked Lai, "Is there hope for Taiwan to become an independent country?" Lai immediately changed his statement, saying, "No, I hope Taiwan will ally without being a country."
Lai stated that Taiwan could not be an independent country, but Taiwan also hopes to gain "independent status."
Paying to fabricate false documents to attack Biden - Lai shifts blame to assistant Mark Simon
On Oct. 30, 2020, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) published an article alleging that Apple Daily had commissioned someone to create a false document to smear Joe Biden's son Hunter over his ties with China to affect Biden's election prospects.
Under questioning from the defense yesterday, Lai stated that his assistant Mark Simon had hired an intelligence company and through Lai's private company paid a US$10,000 "research fee" to write a 64-page report on the scandal involving Biden's son Hunter, but he was unaware of it.
Lai stated in court that after Vice President of Apple Daily, Chan Pui-man, informed him of the matter, he met with senior Apple Daily management, and later issued a statement clarifying that the incident was unrelated to Apple Daily. He also posted on his personal Twitter stating that Apple Daily and he were not involved in the event and that it was his assistant Mark Simon who participated in it.
A judge questioned why Lai needed to clarify if Mark Simon had acted in a personal capacity. Lai argued that the report implicated Apple Daily and himself.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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