Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai thought his arrest would increase global attention and sales of Apple Daily, a court heard

“It was a huge blow to us,” the accomplice witness told West Kowloon Court. “Because without Jimmy Lai, we might no longer be able to get inside information from the US government and we might lose all our political connections in the US and abroad.”

Chan added that Lai’s connections in the United States had made it much easier for the advocacy group “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong” (SWHK) to push for economic sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland China.

But Chan said Simon had adopted a different view on the case after consulting with Lai, who felt there were also benefits to his arrest.

“They both thought it was a good thing because it would attract more people’s attention and increase Apple’s sales,” the witness said, referring to Lai and Simon.

Attorney Marc Corlett expressed concern about the veracity of Chan’s claim about the tycoon’s thoughts. Madam Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping, one of the three judges hearing the trial, also pointed out that what Lai allegedly said to Simon were hearsay.

Lai is accused of masterminding an anti-China campaign by pulling SWHK’s strings to implement sanctions and other hostile acts against Hong Kong and Beijing.

The 76-year-old tycoon also allegedly used Chan as an intermediary to relay his instructions to frontline activists, including core SWHK member Andy Li Yu-hin.

‘Jimmy Lai chose to continue sanctions bid after Hong Kong security law came into effect’

Chan on Wednesday explained his efforts to expand his personal network on Lai’s advice after the national security law came into effect on June 30, 2020.

He said he had tried to approach Alan Brinker, then an employee of the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong, as he prepared to take over Li’s role of lobbying foreign officials for sanctions.

Chan revealed that SWHK members had repeatedly urged Li to leave Hong Kong, fearing their personal information would be leaked to police if the activist was arrested.

Li insisted on staying in the city despite an offer to work at an NGO in the US, the witness continued.

Lai’s aide Simon also told Chan about a backup plan in case of Li’s arrest, with Finn Lau Cho-dik, a British-based campaigner, giving speeches at American universities to promote anti-China strategies.

The court heard that Chan also joined the US branch of SWHK in June or July 2020 with the recommendation of Lai and Simon to further the group’s goals.

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Chan recounted an occasion when Simon explained why both he and Lai favored American Republican politicians over their Democratic rivals.

Simon told Chan that the Republican Party had a more consistent anti-China policy and was more likely to impose sanctions on the governments of Hong Kong and China, the court heard.

The witness also reportedly said that the American Democratic Party had sought China’s cooperation on issues including the economy, the environment and the climate.

Chan said the US branch of SWHK, led by astrophysicist Shirley Ho, followed Simon’s advice and tried to influence Washington’s assessment of Hong Kong by feeding officials with a negative image of the city.

He said that after being released on police bail, Simon encouraged him to continue his lobbying work by telling him that Lai would “arrange various support” for him, including a plan to escape to the US.

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai supported unofficial 2020 primaries, court hears

The witness added that he did not comment because he “didn’t care about Lai” at the time.

Chan is expected to be questioned by the defense when the trial resumes on Thursday.