Hong Kong seizes assets linked to Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy media mogul jailed for his activism. Lai founded Apple Daily and faces 20-year sentence.
Keir Starmer's first UK prime ministerial visit to China in eight years aims to rebuild economic ties and foster a strategic partnership. He met Xi Jinping and secured agreements on visas and cooperation, amid criticism from US and UK opponents over security and human rights concerns. The trip signals a pragmatic shift in UK-China relations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China aims to boost trade and rebuild relations, despite geopolitical tensions and domestic skepticism. The trip includes a large business delegation and discussions on cooperation, while navigating concerns over security, influence, and US relations. The US has threatened tariffs and criticized UK-China engagement.
Keir Starmer's first UK prime ministerial trip to China since 2018 aims to revive economic ties amid tensions over security, human rights, and geopolitical conflicts. The visit includes a delegation of British business leaders and focuses on trade opportunities, despite concerns over espionage and human rights issues.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China aims to strengthen economic ties while addressing human rights concerns, notably the case of Jimmy Lai. Despite raising Lai's case with Chinese leaders, critics argue the UK failed to secure his release, highlighting tensions between diplomacy and human rights.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed easing travel restrictions during their summit. China is willing to consider unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens, with progress on trade, tariffs, and cooperation on migration issues. The discussions mark a significant diplomatic step after years of limited engagement.
The UK and China announced that UK citizens will be able to visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, aligning with nearly 50 countries. The move aims to boost economic ties and facilitate business and tourism, with discussions on a bilateral services agreement also underway.
UK Prime Minister Starmer visits China to reset relations, securing trade deals and easing sanctions. The trip aims to balance engagement with strategic differences, amid global tensions and China's rising trade surplus. Critics see the efforts as superficial, but the UK emphasizes a pragmatic approach.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's three-day China visit secures £4.5 billion in deals, including export agreements, market access, and investment. The trip also saw China lift sanctions on six British MPs, amid ongoing human rights concerns and US criticism.
On February 9, 2026, Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old pro-democracy activist and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials. The sentence, the harshest under Hong Kong's national security law, has drawn widespread international condemnation and calls for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Several US athletes at the Milan Winter Olympics expressed mixed feelings about representing the US amid political and social issues at home. Their comments sparked backlash from political figures, social media, and fellow athletes, raising questions about patriotism and free expression during international sports events.
Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of China and former media tycoon, to 20 years in prison under the national security law. The government expressed strong opposition, urging respect for sovereignty and rule of law amid ongoing tensions over Lai's activism and media outlets.
On February 26-27, 2026, Hong Kong courts sentenced Kwok Yin-sang, father of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok, to eight months for attempting to withdraw funds from her insurance policy, marking the first conviction under the 2024 national security law targeting family members. Separately, Jimmy Lai's 2022 fraud conviction was overturned, though he remains imprisoned under a 20-year national security sentence.
Hong Kong activist Chow faces up to 10 years for peaceful Tiananmen vigil. She challenges prison dress code, continuing her legal fight despite bail denial. The case highlights ongoing suppression of dissent since the 2020 security law enforcement crackdown.
Hong Kong has implemented new rules requiring travelers and residents to provide passwords and decryption assistance to police, with penalties including jail and fines. The changes, announced on March 23, are part of broader national security law enforcement measures, raising concerns over privacy and civil liberties.
Hong Kong authorities have taken steps against Jimmy Lai's associates, including de-registering companies linked to Lai and arresting bookstore staff for selling a biography of Lai. These actions follow Lai's 20-year sentence for collusion and sedition, raising concerns over increasing repression of dissent in the city.
Hong Kong authorities have issued a writ to seize assets linked to Jimmy Lai, including bank accounts, properties, and shares, as part of a national security case. Lai, a prominent critic of China, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The seizure hearing is scheduled for July.