Under the 1984 Joint Sino-British Declaration, China agreed Hong Kong would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” and retain certain rights including freedom of assembly and speech.
However, over time China has increased its control over the former British colony and in 2020 it passed the National Security Law, making it easier to clamp down on protests.
Lai’s lawyer has been critical of the UK government’s involvement in the case.
“We are told Jimmy Lai’s case is a priority for the government. So why has the foreign secretary still failed to meet with us and Sebastien, his son, despite repeated requests?” she told The Times on Tuesday., external
Caolifhionn Gallagher said of the past five foreign secretaries, only David Cameron had met Lai’s legal team.
She said: “This is a disappointing and flawed approach that stymies crucial efforts to free Jimmy Lai and fundamentally undermines the government’s official position that he must be released.”
Pressed on the case by Sunak, Sir Keir said: “This case, as he will understand, is a priority for the government.
“We do call on the Hong Kong authorities to release immediately our British national.
“The foreign secretary raised this case, in his first meeting with China’s foreign minister, and we will continue to do so,” he added.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to visit China this week.
Ms Gallagher said the question was what the government would do “before it is too late”.
He added: “This case must be top of the government’s agenda in its engagement with China.”
