China News Service, January 24. According to Hong Kong's "Ta Kung Pao" report, Jimmy Lai, the founder of "One Media" and an anti-China disruptor in Hong Kong, and three of his companies were suspected of colluding with foreign forces and violating Hong Kong's national security law. The case was reported in the west of Hong Kong on the 23rd. The hearing on the 14th day was held at the Kowloon Court Building.
Zhang Jianhong, an accessory witness and former CEO of Next Media, testified in court that Jimmy Lai thought young people were "brave" when he saw them "come out to riot and destroy shops."
Jimmy Lai claimed that he hopes to receive political protection from foreign dignitaries and also hopes that the United States will "sanction China" and "take hostile actions against China."
On the 23rd, the prosecution continued to ask Zhang Jianhong questions about the editorial policy of Apple Daily in the second half of 2019.
Zhang Jianhong believes that after Li Zhiying met with US officials in July 2019, he talked about sanctions more and more often.
The prosecution showed the "Student Support Subscription Plan" launched by "Apple Daily" in November 2019, subsidizing students to read the online version of "Apple Daily" for free.
Zhang Jianhong explained that Jimmy Lai had started a similar plan since August of the same year.
Zhang Jianhong described Li Zhiying as being very dedicated in the second half of 2019. He participated in every parade and held the flag at the head of the parade. The Hong Kong news team of Apple Daily also devoted himself to reporting.
The prosecution then showed multiple front-page articles of Apple Daily, and Zhang Jianhong confirmed that the articles complied with Jimmy Lai’s editorial instructions.
Zhang Jianhong said that Li Zhiying sometimes saw "brave" demonstrators causing damage during demonstrations, and Li Zhiying would think that young people are "very brave and easy to participate in sports."
The prosecution also asked how Zhang Jianhong ensured that the articles published by Apple Daily complied with Jimmy Lai's instructions.
Zhang Jianhong said that after he understood Li Zhiying's instructions, he would communicate with his colleagues, and the head of the editorial department would also listen to Li Zhiying's instructions at the "lunch box meeting". Zhang Jianhong pointed out that in his memory, he had never failed to follow Li Zhiying's instructions on editing. , and cannot be refused.
The prosecution showed the first draft of Apple's 25th anniversary speech that Jimmy Lai sent to Zhang Jianhong. One paragraph mentioned, "Yes, we do not have foreign forces, but now we must have foreign forces! The more foreigners, governments and politicians support us, the more foreign countries will support us." With the support of public opinion and diplomatic attention, the more we can preserve the rule of law and freedom, long live foreign forces!" Zhang Jianhong believes that Li Zhiying means that if more readers subscribe to the English version of "Apple Daily", if foreign politicians and government officials subscribe to "Apple Daily" Daily" is a political protection for "Apple Daily".
On May 22, 2020, Jimmy Lai ordered Zhang Jianhong to launch the so-called "One person, one letter to save Hong Kong" and wrote a letter to then US President Trump.
Zhang Jianhong pointed out that Li Zhiying hopes that "senior US officials will intervene", that is, "sanctions people related to China."
Zhang Jianhong also recalled that Li Zhiying called him and said that "there is a national security law, and we must ask the United States to impose sanctions."