Jimmy Lai denies foreign collusion in landmark trial in Hong Kong | BBC News

Jimmy Lai, one of Hong Kong's most influential pro-democracy figures, has testified in court for the first time in a national security trial that may see him sentenced to life in jail. The 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily has been accused of colluding with foreign forces. But Lai told the court on Wednesday that he had "never" used his foreign contacts, which include ex-US VP Mike Pence and former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong. Lai is already serving prison sentences for a range of offences for his alleged role in pro-democracy protests in 2019, which led to China imposing a sweeping national security law (NSL) in the city. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #HongKong #China #BBCNews