U.S. President Donald Trump privately urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider the release of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai during a recent meeting in South Korea, according to people familiar with the discussions. The request, which took place during a brief but direct exchange, highlighted Lai’s lengthy detention and declining health, as well as the political weight his case carries internationally. Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been in detention for several years under Hong Kong’s national security laws. He faces charges including collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material accusations that rights groups and Western governments say reflect a broader crackdown on dissent in the city.

Sources said Trump framed the appeal as a humanitarian and diplomatic gesture that could help ease strained U.S.–China relations. While no formal proposal or negotiation took place, he reportedly suggested that releasing Lai could improve China’s global image at a critical time. One source described the exchange as “brief, but deliberate,” noting that Xi listened without making any commitments. Beijing has consistently rejected what it views as external interference in Hong Kong’s legal matters. Chinese officials have reiterated that Lai’s prosecution falls strictly under Hong Kong’s judicial framework and have criticized foreign governments for politicizing the case.

The conversation comes as the United States and China continue to navigate tense relations over trade, strategic influence, and technology controls. Analysts suggest Trump’s mention of Lai signals that human-rights concerns may remain part of broader diplomatic talks, even as the two countries look for areas of cooperation. For now, no public indication has emerged that China is reconsidering Lai’s status, and his trial continues to be closely watched worldwide. The case remains a defining symbol of Hong Kong’s shifting political landscape and a sensitive point in international debates over governance, freedom of expression, and judicial independence.