British PM asks Trump to bring up Jimmy Lai with Xi

Crime By Dasha Burns, Dan Bloom, Phelim Kine • September 22, 2026, 7:20 PM UTC

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The British delegation said the Hong Kong dissident could live in the United Kingdom, a person familiar with the situation said.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham implored President Donald Trump to bring up the case of imprisoned Hong Kong dissident Jimmy Lai at a Thursday summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Burnham made the request during a meeting with Trump, who said he agreed Lai should be set free, according to one of the people. The British delegation suggested Lai could live in the United Kingdom, that person said.

A Hong Kong court this year sentenced Lai, a former media magnate, to 20 years in prison on sedition charges. Trump raised Lai’s case in May when he met with Xi in Beijing. But the Chinese leader hasn’t signaled whether he’s willing to free him.

The White House and Downing Street did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lai has received international attention for his imprisonment, which human rights advocates say is due to his strong advocacy for democracy. Trump has said that Xi is reluctant to free Lai because he allegedly “caused a lot of bedlam” in Hong Kong.

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