More Apple Daily reports on protests after 'Occupy' movement, Jimmy Lai says

Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying began testifying Wednesday in his landmark national security trial, in which he told the court he had met former US vice president Mike Pence in 2019 and asked the Republican to "say something in support" of Hong Kong.

He also admitted that Apple Daily had more coverage of the protests after the Occupy Central movement in 2014.

Lai, 76, is accused of colluding with foreign forces, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to life in prison. He entered the court waving and smiling at his family members, who sat next to the city's Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen.

The case centers around articles in the newspaper that supported pro-democracy protests in 2019 and criticized Beijing's leadership.

Lai told the court that he had entered the media business because he wanted to convey messages to readers that align more closely with the values of the people of Hong Kong.

He said he doesn't see himself as a political figure and was not an advocate of Hong Kong and Taiwan independence.

Meanwhile, Lai rejected claims that Apple Daily reports had focused more on the protests after the Occupy Central movement in 2014, explaining that the increased coverage was a result of a “more active protest movement” in the city.

However, Lai admitted he himself “went further” in participating in the protests.

It was alleged that Lai asked the United States and other countries to impose sanctions "or engage in other hostile activities" against China and Hong Kong, while dozens of foreign politicians and scholars - including former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - were named by the prosecution as Lai's agents or collaborators. 

When asked about his contacts with politicians and other figures from places including the United States, Britain and Taiwan, Lai said he had met former US vice president Mike Pence in 2019 and asked the Republican to "say something in support" of Hong Kong. But he insisted he hadn't asked Pence to take action, saying it was "beyond me".

Questioned if he had ever "communicated directly or indirectly" with then-president Donald Trump, Lai said no.

However, he admitted introducing former US Army General Jack Keane and former Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen’s administration.

He also admitted that he had transferred HK$118 million to his ssistant Mark Simon between 2013 and 2020 and the fund included donations to think tanks in the US and political parties in Hong Kong for supporting their work.

Lai also donated 20,000 pounds to "Hong Kong Watch" -- an organization in the United Kingdom -- and had met with British politicians in person many times.

Lai also admitted to directing Apple Daily to print 100,000 anti-extradition bill protest-related posters with the resources of the newspaper.

(Updated at 7.37 pm)