Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 25, 2025 / 06:00 am

Catholic self-made entrepreneur and media tycoon Jimmy Lai built an empire on free speech and truthful journalism — but today he sits behind bars as one of China’s most high-profile political prisoners.

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, known as Jimmy Lai , was born in Guangzhou, China, in 1947 during the Chinese Civil War. After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took over, Lai’s mother was sent to a labor camp, leaving him and his siblings on their own during his early life.

When he was 12, Lai stowed away on a boat to Hong Kong, escaping mainland China with hopes of a better life. Arriving penniless, he found work in a garment factory, where he eventually rose to a managerial position.

In Hong Kong, Lai saw a need for quality and affordable clo

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