Jimmy Lai takes stand in national security trial

Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai on Wednesday began testifying in his national security trial. Lai said he had made donations to local and overseas groups, including think-tanks and religious organisations in the United States amounting to up to US$50,000 a year. The Apple Daily founder added that he donated £20,000 to the UK-based group Hong Kong Watch. Lai also said he asked former top US officials to “voice out” for Hong Kong five years ago. He told the High Court that he met then vice-president Mike Pence and then secretary of state Mike Pompeo during his trip to Washington in July 2019. Lai said he asked Pence to voice support for Hong Kong, adding that it would be “beyond” him to ask Pence to take any concrete action. Lai also acknowledged that he had directed Apple Daily to use news of a meeting between former chief secretary Anson Chan and Pence in 2019 to its “maximum effect”. The former media tycoon has pleaded not guilty to three conspiracy charges relating to collusion with foreign forces and sedition. The questioning is estimated to take 15 days, according to the defence.