During a recent trip to China, former U.S. President Donald Trump raised the case of Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong democracy activist currently serving a 20-year prison sentence under a controversial security law. Trump reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, referring to Lai's case as a 'tough one.' Despite Trump's efforts to advocate for Lai's release, he expressed a lack of optimism regarding the outcome, stating the response he received was not positive. Lai's family, particularly his daughter Claire, has voiced appreciation for Trump's commitment, highlighting his history of advocating for the unjustly detained. Lai, who suffers from diabetes and has experienced significant health decline while in solitary confinement, faces dire conditions in prison, including extreme heat and inadequate medical care. His case has garnered international concern, especially in the UK, where he is viewed as a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong since its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.