A single piece of chocolate handed to him by a stranger at a railway station convinced a twelve-year-old boy that Hong Kong was a paradise worth reaching. Jimmy Lai stowed away to the city to work in a garment factory, eventually building a retail and media empire that would position him as a central figure in regional political movements.
Early Survival
Born in 1947 in Guangzhou, Lai grew up in a family whose status vanished following the Communist takeover. At age seven, he was left to provide for himself and his siblings while his mother performed labour reform and his father relocated to Hong Kong. He supported his family through black-market trading and hawking near train stations, constantly evading police enforcement.
The Rise of Giordano
After establishing himself in the garment industry, Lai purchased the bankrupt factory Comitex in 1975 using returns from stock investments. He founded the retailer Giordano in 1981, implementing an incentive-based model for sales staff that expanded the chain into thirty countries. He eventually divested his interest in the company in 1996 to focus on media ventures.
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Lai established the media firm Next Digital, later producing Apple Daily and Next Magazine. By integrating tabloid-style reporting with aggressive political commentary, he became a prominent critic of the Chinese Communist Party. His publications remained banned in mainland China, and his career was marked by physical threats, including petrol bombings and vehicle rammings.
Global Business and Political Stance
Beyond his core media holdings, Lai engaged in international investments, including property in Ontario and stakes in the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC. In 2014, documents surfaced detailing his financial support for projects in Myanmar. Throughout the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, he maintained contact with international officials, including Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, before his eventual arrest.
Imprisonment
Following his arrest on 10 August 2020 for violating national security legislation, Lai resigned his directorships. He received the 2021 Golden Pen of Freedom Award and the 2020 Reporters Without Borders Freedom of Press Award. He remains at Stanley Prison, where he is held in solitary confinement at his own request.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Guangzhou
- Citizenships: UK, PRC, Taiwan, British Hong Kong
- Retail venture: Giordano
- Media outlets: Next Digital, Apple Daily
- Award: Golden Pen of Freedom (2021)
- Status: Imprisoned in Stanley Prison
Questions readers ask
Why did Jimmy Lai move to Hong Kong?
He stowed away at age 12, seeking a better life after being struck by the kindness of a stranger who tipped him a piece of chocolate.
What happened to his clothing business?
He founded Giordano in 1981 but sold his stake in 1996 to focus entirely on media and politics.
Is he still in prison?
As of September 2025, he remains in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison, a condition he requested himself.
Achievements
- Worked as entrepreneur and businessperson
