Trump ‘asked Xi to release Lai’

President Donald Trump appealed directly to China's Xi Jinping to free jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai when the two leaders met in South Korea last week, according to three people briefed on the talks and a US administration official.

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Mr Trump did not discuss a specific deal to free Lai but spoke more broadly about concerns surrounding the 77-year-old publishing mogul’s health and well-being after his lengthy trial on national security charges, one of the people said.

Mr Trump spent less than five minutes discussing the issue, the person added.

“President Trump brought up Jimmy Lai’s case, just as he said he would,” said the administration official. “Both President Trump and President Xi engaged in the discussion that followed.”

“Ttwas raised by Trump and noted by Xi,’ a third person said on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the leaders’ meeting.

That person said Mr Trump suggested that Lai’s release would be good for US-China relations and beneficial for China's image.