The daughter of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英) , Claire Lai (黎采), said during the 2026 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on March 19 that, despite the many hardships her father has endured over the past six years, he remains steadfast in his faith in God and believes that life belongs to God, not to himself.

Jimmy Lai fled Communist rule in mainland China at the age of 12, sneaking into then-British-ruled Hong Kong. He began his career as a garment worker before going on to found the international brand Giordano  (佐丹奴). He later established the media group Next Digital  (壹傳媒) and launched Apple Daily (蘋果日報) in 1995, becoming one of Hong Kong’s most prominent media figures.

A Journey to the United States Sparked His Search for Freedom and Truth

Jimmy Lai’s connection to the United States dates back to a trip there years ago, when he began to understand the meaning of freedom and truth. He found that his own values resonated with the truths he encountered, and wrote to his daughter: “In fact, before I even realized it, I was already being led by the Holy Spirit without knowing it.”

In 1997, he led his family into the Catholic Church, the same year the United Kingdom handed Hong Kong back to China. His daughter recalled: “That year, many people like him, who had grown accustomed to the freedom of life in Hong Kong, were filled with fear and uncertainty. It was in that context that my father turned to Christ. His doubts were gradually dissolved by God’s mercy and grace, and they became trust in the Lord. To this day, his deepest hope is still to be a faithful servant of the Lord.”

As a successful entrepreneur, Lai long supported Hong Kong’s democratic development and freedom of expression, and he participated in and backed multiple pro-democracy movements. His newspaper, Apple Daily, became known for its bold style, investigative reporting, and outspoken editorial line, which also contributed to tensions with Beijing.

In 2020, Beijing imposed the National Security Law in Hong Kong. One month after the law took effect, Lai, a supporter of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, was arrested and later put on trial that year. He has remained in solitary confinement since then, until last month, when the court concluded his case and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

Finding Strength by Uniting His Suffering With Christ’s Cross

Claire Lai said that in recent years her father has been held in a small, dark cell with almost no access to fresh air or sunlight. His diabetes has been poorly controlled for a long time, and he has also suffered from heart disease, infections, and other health problems. During his long imprisonment, he has been denied the opportunity to receive the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and to attend Mass.

These hardships, however, have not weakened his faith in God. She testified: “Even though he cannot personally take part in these sacraments, he still strives to serve the Lord in every way he can, practicing virtue in humility. He draws strength from uniting his suffering with Christ’s suffering on the cross, and he experiences deep joy in his heart when praying for friends, acquaintances, strangers, and even those who have harmed him.”

She also said she is grateful for the suffering that has come upon her family: “Since I was a child, my parents reminded me that everything is grace. My father’s experience has taught me that suffering is also grace; it helps us find the way to the foot of the cross on Calvary.”

“Life Does Not Belong to Oneself, but to God”

Claire Lai also quoted her father as saying: “I should no longer focus only on myself. My life does not belong to me, but to God. This is not an easy lesson to learn, but I am willing to learn, little by little, how to deny myself and walk with the Lord. May God have mercy on me and help me; as long as I have Him, that is enough.”

In 2020, Lai received the Faith and Freedom Award online from the Acton Institute. In 2021, he received the Christifideles Laici Award from the Catholic Church, and in 2025 he was also honored with the Made For Truth Award from the Italian Catholic media outlet Bussola.