President Donald Trump and his administration on Monday called for China to release pro-democracy Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, after he was convicted of publishing “seditious” material and colluding with foreign entities. 

Lai, a British citizen, was convicted of the crimes earlier Monday and now faces up to life in a Chinese prison. Lai founded the Hong Kong publication Apple Daily, which was known for being critical of the Chinese Communist Party. He pleaded not guilty to the crimes. 

Trump said that he previously asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider releasing Lai because he was an "older man" who was "not well." 

“I feel so badly. I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked to consider his release,” Trump told reporters during an event at the White House. "He's an older man and he's not well, so I did put that request out. We'll see what happens." 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also urged China to release Lai, who is now 78-years-old, noting he had been imprisoned for over four years. Lai was first arrested in 2020, shortly after Beijing imposed a large-scale national security law in response to anti-government protests. The trial itself took over two years.

"Jimmy Lai has spent over 1,800 days in prison," Rubio said on X. "I echo President Trump’s call for Beijing to conclude this ordeal and release Mr. Lai."

Former Vice President Mike Pence also slammed China for convicting Lai but also blasted the Trump administration for not taking a firmer stance against China. 

"The CCP arrested Jimmy Lai because he stood strong for democracy and freedom of the press against the empty promises the CCP made to Hong Kong," Pence wrote on X. "His conviction is an offense to freedom-loving people around the world. As the second Trump Administration grants concession after concession to China, now is the time for President Trump to demand that China free Jimmy Lai."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.