A new film about the imprisoned Apple Daily founder captures a life spent defying the Chinese Communist Party — and the cost of refusing to be silenced
The Hong Konger: A Story That Demands to Be Told
At the opening of “The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai’s Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom,” we hear a Chinese proverb: “If you are a bird, you would rather die singing than living a quiet life.” No line better captures the life of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on February 9, 2026, for what a Hong Kong court described as conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material. Lai, 78, a British citizen who has been detained since 2020, faces what the Asia director of Human Rights Watch has called an effective life sentence. The documentary, produced by the Acton Institute, has arrived at a moment of extraordinary significance. It documents a life that has become a symbol of the struggle for press freedom and democracy in Hong Kong and around the world.
From Factory Child to Media Mogul
Lai was born in mainland China in 1947 and arrived in Hong Kong as a child with nothing. He built a clothing empire, founded Giordano, and then turned to media, establishing Next Media and ultimately Apple Daily, which became the most widely read and politically outspoken newspaper in Hong Kong. Throughout his career he endured petrol bomb attacks, physical assaults and political pressure. He remained committed to defending press freedom and to supporting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. After the 2019 protests, Beijing targeted him with national security charges, and Apple Daily was shut down in 2021 after its assets were frozen and its staff arrested.
The Trial and Its Global Condemnation
Lai’s conviction on December 15, 2025, and sentencing on February 9, 2026, drew condemnation from governments, press freedom organisations and ordinary citizens around the world. The United States State Department called for his release, with the US urging Hong Kong authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole. The Committee to Protect Journalists said the ruling shattered the rule of law in Hong Kong. Amnesty International called it a cold-blooded attack on freedom of expression. The European Union said the conviction was emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms since the imposition of the National Security Law. Former US President Trump asked Xi Jinping to consider Lai’s release, noting that the publisher was elderly and unwell. Five members of Congress nominated Lai for the Nobel Peace Prize in February 2026.
What the Documentary Tells Us
The Acton Institute’s film, reviewed recently by the Smoky Mountain News, presents Lai’s story through the lens of a man who consistently prioritised freedom of speech and democratic values over personal safety and commercial advantage. It is a vital record of what Hong Kong once was and what it has lost. The Committee to Protect Journalists annual prison census continues to document Lai’s detention and that of other journalists imprisoned for their work. Amnesty International’s full statement on Lai’s sentencing is essential reading for anyone who cares about press freedom. Jimmy Lai did not live a quiet life. He sang — loudly, courageously, and at enormous personal cost. The Hong Kong government says the rule of law was upheld by his sentence. The international community overwhelmingly disagrees. History will judge this case as a defining act of political repression, and the documentary now bearing witness to Lai’s struggle ensures that his story will not be forgotten.
Michelle Wong
International News & Human Rights Journalist, Apple Daily UK
Contact: michelle.wong@appledaily.uk
Michelle Wong is an international news and human rights journalist with experience covering cross-border issues, international advocacy, and global civil rights developments. She trained at a leading UK journalism institution, focusing on international reporting standards, source verification, and human rights frameworks.
Her reporting career includes contributions to Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese publications, covering international sanctions, asylum issues, transnational repression, and global human rights policy. Michelle’s work is grounded in primary sources, expert interviews, and international legal documentation.
She has worked in newsroom environments requiring careful coordination across regions and languages, giving her practical experience in verification and ethical reporting. Her authority is reinforced by consistent publication within reputable media organizations.
At Apple Daily UK, Michelle Wong delivers credible international journalism rooted in professional experience, subject-matter expertise, and adherence to global reporting standards.
