“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 insider information from the US government, and we might lose all our political connections in the US and beyond.”
Chan added Lai’s connections in the United States had made it much easier for the “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong” (SWHK) advocacy group to push for economic sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland China.
But Chan said Simon took a different view on the matter upon discussion with Lai, who felt his arrest also had its benefits.
“Both of them felt it was a good thing, as this would draw more people’s attention and Apple’s sales would increase,” the witness said, referring to Lai and Simon.
Defence counsel Marc Corlett expressed concerns over the veracity of Chan’s claim about the tycoon’s thoughts. Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping, who is among three judges hearing the trial, also pointed out what Lai reportedly told Simon was hearsay.
Lai stands accused of masterminding an anti-China campaign by pulling the strings behind SWHK to instigate sanctions and other hostile acts against Hong Kong and Beijing.
The 76-year-old tycoon also allegedly used Chan as a middleman to relay his instructions to frontline activists, including core SWHK member Andy Li Yu-hin.
‘Jimmy Lai opted to continue sanctions bid after Hong Kong security law took effect’
‘Jimmy Lai opted to continue sanctions bid after Hong Kong security law took effect’
Chan on Wednesday explained his attempts to broaden his personal network per Lai’s advice after the national security law took effect on June 30, 2020.
He said he had tried to approach Alan Brinker, then a US consulate staff worker in Hong Kong, as he prepared to take over Li’s role to lobby foreign officials for sanctions.
Chan revealed SWHK members had repeatedly urged Li to leave Hong Kong out of fear their personal information would be leaked to police if the activist was arrested.
Li insisted on remaining in the city despite an offer to work in an NGO in the US, the witness continued.
Lai’s assistant Simon also told Chan about a backup plan in the event of Li’s arrest, which involved Finn Lau Cho-dik, a campaigner based in Britain, delivering speeches at American universities to promote anti-China strategies.
The court heard Chan also joined the US branch of SWHK in June or July of 2020 with the recommendation of Lai and Simon to further the group’s causes.
Jimmy Lai plotted mainland China’s political collapse, Hong Kong court hears
Jimmy Lai plotted mainland China’s political collapse, Hong Kong court hears
Chan recounted an occasion where Simon explained why both he and Lai favoured US Republican politicians over their Democratic rivals.
Simon told Chan the Republican Party adopted a more consistent anti-China policy and was more inclined to impose sanctions against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, the court heard.
The witness was also allegedly told the US Democratic Party had sought China’s cooperation on issues including the economy, environment and climate.
Chan said SWHK’s US branch, led by astrophysicist Shirley Ho, followed Simon’s advice and sought to influence Washington’s assessment of Hong Kong by feeding officials with negative portrayals of the city.
He said that after he was released on police bail, Simon encouraged him to continue his lobbying work nonetheless by telling him Lai would make “arrangements for various support” for him, including a plan to escape to the US.
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai backed 2020 unofficial primary election, court hears
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai backed 2020 unofficial primary election, court hears
The witness added he did not make a response as he “did not care” about Lai at the time.
Chan is expected to be cross-examined by the defence when the trial resumes on Thursday.
