US lawmakers hold hearing on plight of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, as Hong Kong slams ‘hypocrisy’

US lawmakers have held a hearing on the plight of jailed pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, as Hong Kong authorities denounced the move as "hypocrisy." Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February for allegedly using his newspaper, Apple Daily, to lobby foreign nations against China. His conviction under Hong Kong's national security law sparked international condemnation.

CECC, a US government agency, introduced a bill aimed at securing Lai's release and that of other "democracy advocates, journalists, former legislators, and civil society leaders" imprisoned in Hong Kong. CECC chair Senator Dan Sullivan called for Lai's immediate release, while co-chair Representative Chris Smith deemed his sentence "unjust, politically motivated and an affront to free speech and human dignity."

Hong Kong's government and Legislative Council dismissed the US lawmakers' actions as "maliciously provocative political maneuvering" and "alarmist talk." They claimed that the "Jimmy Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of the press" and that Lai is receiving adequate medical care in custody. The Hong Kong government also criticized the allegations of his poor health, stating that "medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are undoubtedly adequate and comprehensive."