Jimmy Lai: The Face of Hong Kong's Resistance with Mark L. Clifford

In this conversation, host Will Wright and guest William Nee engage with Mark Clifford, who discusses his book 'The Troublemaker' about Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure in Hong Kong. The discussion covers Lai's life, his journey from an immigrant to a billionaire entrepreneur, and his commitment to freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. The conversation also delves into the unique political landscape of Hong Kong, the vibrant media scene before the crackdown, and the impact of protests on the fight for democracy. The parallels between Jimmy Lai and other global pro-democracy figures, such as Alexei Navalny, are also explored. In this conversation, Mark L Clifford discusses the resilience and bravery of Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure in Hong Kong. He explores the Chinese government's fear of independent media and voices, the impact of Lai's arrest on the pro-democracy movement, and the evolution of Lai's spiritual journey, particularly his conversion to Catholicism. Clifford emphasizes the ingrained desire for freedom among the people of Hong Kong and the importance of media in advocating for democracy. He also reflects on the potential future of Lai's cause and the broader implications for political prisoners in Hong Kong.

Buy the BookThe TroublemakerHow Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic

Guest Bio:

MARK L. CLIFFORD is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, the former executive director of the Asia Business Council, and a former board member at Next Digital. He is editorial chair of the Asian Review of Books, and served as editor in chief of both English-language papers in Hong Kong, The Standard and the South China Morning Post. An honors history graduate of UC Berkeley and a Walter Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, he holds a Ph.D. in Hong Kong history from the University of Hong Kong.