Hong Kong Aims to Strengthen US Relations While Criticizing Ex-VP Pence as ‘Shameless’

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Hong Kong made an effort to reset its relationship with the United States on Tuesday, as it looked ahead to the new leadership under President Donald Trump. However, the city also sent mixed signals by strongly criticizing former Vice President Mike Pence over his comments about jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, expressed hope for a "good starting point" in rebuilding ties between Hong Kong and the U.S., acknowledging shared interests between the two. "With the new president in office, I hope we can work toward promoting positive relations," Lee said to reporters.

However, later in the day, a Hong Kong government official took issue with Pence’s recent remarks about Lai. The official condemned the former vice president’s comments as "malicious," after Pence called for China to release Lai in a social media post.

Pence had attended an event hosted by UBS bank in Hong Kong last week, where he spoke about the case. His post shared a Wall Street Journal editorial in which he urged China to free Lai as a "message of goodwill."

A Hong Kong spokesperson responded by accusing Pence of attempting to unfairly influence Lai's trial. They described his comments as "shameless interference with justice" and warned that US politicians should not use business events for political gain or attempt to undermine Hong Kong's rule of law.

Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, faces charges of foreign collusion under a national security law that could result in a life sentence. While Pence was in Hong Kong speaking to UBS clients, Lai was testifying in court on the other side of the city.

Relations between Hong Kong and the U.S. soured after Beijing imposed a strict national security law in 2020, following massive pro-democracy protests the year before.

Hong Kong officials argue the law is necessary to restore stability. Lai is accused of attempting to influence Pence during a 2019 meeting to push for U.S. sanctions on China and Hong Kong, though he has denied the allegation.

Pence did not comment on Lai’s case when asked during a visit to Taipei last week.