“My dad wants people to reflect on Our Savior’s suffering for us…” – Catholic World Report

Claire Lai, daughter of imprisoned Hong Kong democracy advocate and devout Catholic convert Jimmy Lai, has become a prominent advocate for the release of her 78-year-old father, believing his conviction for colluding with foreign Chinese adversaries (such as the United States and the United Kingdom) is unjust and the conditions of his imprisonment unduly harsh.

Jimmy Lai was born in pre-Communist China to a wealthy family in 1947, but was plunged into poverty when the Communist Party of Mao Zedong came to power in 1949. In his youth, Jimmy fled to then-British-ruled Hong Kong in search of freedom and economic opportunity. He achieved financial success in the clothing industry and, later, in the media industry. His newspaper, Apple Daily, was read by millions, but was shut down by the Chinese Communist government shortly after Jimmy Lai’s arrest in 2020.

His family, including son Sebastien and, more recently, Claire, has been sharing Jimmy’s story in hopes of securing his release. Earlier this year, Claire attended President Trump’s State of the Union address as a guest of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Chris Smith to draw attention to the plight of her father.

Claire Lai spoke to CWR from London.

CWR: Your father is a self-made man.

Claire Lai: Yes. He was born before the Cultural Revolution to a well-to-do family, but when the Communists came to power, the rich became the enemy of the people, and they lost their money. My father had only a year of school when he went to work as a porter in a train station. A businessman traveling from abroad gave him a half-eaten bar of chocolate, and he had never eaten anything so delicious. He asked the man where he’d gotten it, and he said Hong Kong. So, my father, at age 8, dreamed of escaping to Hong Kong.

At age 12, his chance came, and he went with nothing in his pocket. He was optimistic, though, and saw Hong Kong as a land of opportunity. When he had his first bowl of wontons, he was crying for joy about all the food that was available in his new home.

He started working hard, learned English, and learned how to read balance sheets on factory floors. He worked his way up from there.

Although Chinese, he became a British citizen. He was so young when he went that the only ID documents he’d ever had came from Britain.

CWR: He also became Catholic, although he came from a country where few are Catholic.

Claire Lai: Yes. China has few Catholics, but those you meet are some of the most faithful, like Cardinal Zen, who’s been one of my father’s biggest advocates.

My mother also came from a long line of Catholics. So, through the influence of Catholics like them, my father converted in 1997. That was also the year of the handover of Hong Kong to China, and many were filled with doubt. But nothing overcomes uncertainty like God’s love.

CWR: He has begun drawing religious pictures while in prison.

Claire Lai: Yes. He wasn’t someone who had previously drawn, but began during his first year of imprisonment. He draws pictures of Christ’s crucifixion and of Mary. It began simply: he wanted an image of the crucifix to help him pray. He has since spent hours and hours drawing and would send images to family and friends. On the back would be instructions on how to pray, or prayers the viewer could say while looking at the image.

The pictures have helped many people grow in their faith; one friend of Jimmy’s converted after receiving an image. My dad wants people to reflect on Our Savior’s suffering for us, His love for us, and the grace He offers us. It has become a way for him to evangelize.

The government authorities found out about it, however, and banned him from sending out his drawings in September 2022.

CWR: The Chinese government has said that Jimmy was imprisoned for collusion with foreign countries. What do you think the real reason is?

Claire Lai: Because my father stands for those values, which once made Hong Kong wonderful. He believes in a free press, a free flow of ideas, the rights of the individual, and the rule of law.

When the Chinese government imposed the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, it saw people like my father as a threat and moved to clamp down on them.

CWR: Why didn’t your father flee Hong Kong and advocate for freedom from outside the country?

Claire Lai: At the time the law came into effect, Apple Daily still had over 700 employees in Hong Kong. As captain, he didn’t want to leave the ship. He knew what the Communist Party was capable of and believed that if he’d left, his staff would be targeted. He wanted to stay and defend them.

The party went ahead and stole his company from him, and he, as well as many of his colleagues, were charged and sentenced.

My dad reflects a courage that cannot be explained, except that it is the influence of the Holy Spirit.

CWR: He now lives in harsh conditions.

Claire Lai: He lives in a small cell with the windows covered so he cannot see the sun nor has access to fresh air. Hong Kong is hot in the summer, so the temperature in his cell can get up to 105 or 110 degrees, giving him heat rashes. He lives in solitary confinement, not only alone in his cell, but the whole floor on which he lives has been cleared. He gets little food; a drumstick he’s given might be the size of my thumb. They shut off the light in his cell so he cannot read his Bible.

Dad was in robust health when he entered prison, but now he has heart issues, back issues, and weight issues. His eyesight and hearing are failing. He has dry skin, his fingernails fall off, and some of his teeth are rotting.

CWR: Why do you think that he is being treated so harshly?

Claire Lai: I believe it is by design to break him and discourage others. As the party has shown for more than 70 years, it does not tolerate dissent.

But while my dad’s body is failing, his mind and soul are protected by his faith.

CWR: Can you see him or communicate with him?

Claire Lai: When I was living in Hong Kong, I saw him in court and was able to visit him about 24 hours a year. I left the country, however, because I realized that any chance of my dad finding freedom would not be found in Hong Kong, as the rule of law no longer exists there.

I also started speaking out about his case, so I would fear for my safety if I were still there.

CWR: The U.S. government has been supportive?

Claire Lai: Yes, President Trump has publicly mentioned my father’s case a number of times. On February 9, Secretary of State Marco Rubio put out a statement condemning my father’s 20-year sentence and supporting the right to free speech.

I’m extremely grateful for the bipartisan support we have received. This administration has a proven track record of freeing those unjustly detained, so I hope my father will be next.

CWR: Do you think that Chinese public opinion supports your father?

Claire Lai: In Hong Kong, definitely. The support we’ve received has been immense. People recognize that the values my father stands for once made Hong Kong a vibrant society in which to live. The direction we’ve gone since has been heartbreaking.

CWR: These years must have been discouraging for you. What keeps you motivated?

I remember one occasion, when we received bad news about my father’s case, I told myself, “We have to do things on God’s terms, and not ours.”

So, I continue to pray to God that he continues to guide us and help us persevere.

• Note: To follow the campaign to free Jimmy Lai: Stand up for Jimmy Lai | #FreeJimmyLai (or follow the movement on X or Instagram). Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment will be the focus of the Napa Institute’s Niagara on the Lake 2026 Experience, October 9-12, 2026; Claire Lai will be among the possible participants: Niagara on the Lake – 2026 Experience – The Napa Institute.