HK MEDIA MOGUL TO KEEP TALKING

Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai said he will not be silenced by a new national security law widely criticized by the West for infringing on the territory's freedoms, according to his interview with NHK TV,

Lai's Apple Daily newspaper is a frequent critic of China.

On August 10, he was arrested on suspicion of violating the law, which was enacted by Beijing. He was later released on bail.

Another local paper known to side with China said he was detained for giving money to a social media group calling on foreign countries to sanction Hong Kong.

Lai denied the allegations. He said, "How can I be colluding when I'm just talking, to tell them what is happening in Hong Kong?"

Lai criticized the law for diminishing freedom of speech and the right to assemble. He said China leaves "a lot of room for the political expedience to exercise their need," adding, "It's almost impossible for us to organize big demonstrations."

Lai said the law threatens investment activity in the territory. He said the business climate is deteriorating, and investors are leaving.

"I need the world to pay attention to Hong Kong, and that's why people like us should keep speaking up," he said.

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