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“The United States has often called for Jimmy Lai’s release, but this is completely contrary to the rule of law because the case is now being tried by our independent court,” Ip, convenor of the government’s key decision-making Executive Council, said on Friday.
“It is impossible for Hong Kong to violate the rule of law. Such a request is an interference with our rule of law.”
In an interview with conservative podcast host Hugh Hewitt in October, Trump was asked whether he would speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping to get Lai out of the country if he won the November 5 presidential election.
“One hundred per cent, yes,” Trump said. “I’ll get him out. He’ll be easy to get out. But we don’t have people that even talk about it.”
Ip’s remarks echoed those made by Secretary of Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok on the same day when asked about Trump’s pledge.