Speaking truth to power Jimmy Lai, shown during a 2020 interview, was imprisoned later that year for speaking out against the Chinese government. (more) Jimmy Lai media mogul imprisoned for criticizing the Chinese government Written by Fred Frommer Fred Frommer is a sports historian, author, and writer who has written for a host of national publications. Fred Frommer Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 20, 2026 •History Jimmy Lai’s life has been defined and bookended by the actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Meet Jimmy Lai As a boy, his family lost just about everything in the Communist Party takeover. As an adult, the Chinese-born British citizen built clothing and media empires that embodied his sharp criticism of China’s authoritarian rule in Hong Kong and his relentless advocacy for press freedom. In February 2026 the Chinese government sentenced the 78-year-old Lai to...

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