Daily News Article - December 17, 2025
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read the “Background” below and check out the links and watch the videos under “Resources.”
1. Who is Jimmy Lai?
2. Define the following as used in the article:
3. a) What was Mr. Lai convicted of doing?
b) What did he actually do?
4. What did the court say? How did the judges rule?
5. Consider the importance of the integrity of the court and impartiality of judges.
a) Do you think Jimmy Lai got a fair trial?
b) Do you think Hong Kongers can expect judicial integrity and impartiality in their court system, which is now controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)? Explain your answer.
6. What groups/people have condemned the court's conviction of Jimmy Lai? What did they say?
7. When asked by reporters about Jimmy's Lai's conviction, President Trump said, "I feel so badly. I spoke to President Xi about it and I asked to consider his release. He’s an older man, and he’s not well. So I did put that request out. We'll see what happens, okay?"
Do you think UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer should take an active role in engaging with Xi JinPing on Jimmy Lai's behalf as he is a British citizen?