Jimmy Lai’s newly opened Twitter account could provide evidence of subversion: observer

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, a key anti-government figure in Hong Kong and founder of Apple Daily, who has been dubbed a “modern-day traitor,” has opened a Twitter account to seek public attention, but instead provided evidence for national security agencies for acts of subversion, experts warned.

Lai joined Twitter on Friday after the third session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) announced to establish and improve the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms in order to safeguard national security in Hong Kong.

From Friday to Sunday as of press time, Lai posted more than 20 tweets, most of which attacked the new national security law, saying it would “hurt human rights and freedom.” For example, on Friday, he tagged the US President Donald Trump, saying “Trump remarked ‘HK’s gone through a lot.’ Rarely have HK people heard more sympathetic words about their plight. Coming from the most powerful leader of the world means a lot,” which resulted in the public blasting him for openly colluding with foreign forces.

A netizen said Trump also praised China’s handling Hong Kong’s riots. “He said that last year. Surely you haven’t forgotten, sir,” the netizen said.

Another commented, “He is doing his last madness, and is worried about becoming the first person to be sanctioned by the National Security Law.”

Lai was one of the 15 riot leaders arrested by the Hong Kong police on April 18 on suspicion of being the mastermind behind illegal assemblies and riots during the 2019-2020 political turmoil in Hong Kong. He was released on bail after a court arraignment was postponed at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on May 18.

During the months of protests that turned into riots, Lai and other anti-government figures have had unprecedented levels of contact with the US government and Western parliaments, forming increasingly brazen collusion tactics that have fuelled the expansion of street politics in Hong Kong, observers said.

Observers said once the national security law is implemented, Lai’s Twitter remarks could serve as evidence of subversion of sovereignty.

Lai and other separatists’ use of social media to seek attention just reflects their desperation, they said.