Trump ‘not optimistic’ on Jimmy Lai’s release after raising case with Xi

US President Donald Trump has said he is not optimistic about the release of former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who was sentenced to 20 years for violating the national security law, after raising the issue with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing.“[Xi] said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do; he went through a lot, right or wrong, they went through a lot,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One during his return flight to the United States.When asked whether the two sides had discussed human rights issues, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday that Beijing had repeatedly stated its position on Lai’s case.