Trump, Burnham Press Xi on Detained Hong Kong Tycoon Jimmy Lai Ahead of Summit

President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham discussed raising the detention of Hong Kong tycoon and democracy activist Jimmy Lai with Chinese President Xi Jinping, ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Burnham asked whether Trump could raise Lai's case during the meeting; White House aides indicated they were already planning to do so, according to a US official. Trump has raised Lai's case with Xi previously, including earlier this year. Lai, 78, a British citizen, saw his pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper shuttered amid Beijing's crackdown and has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on collusion and sedition charges. Burnham reiterated the need for Lai's immediate release, and previously raised the case in a September 8 call with Xi.