Jimmy Lai plotted mainland Chinas collapse and installation of US-style democracy, says witness [Video]

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai allegedly tried to trigger mainland China‘s political and economic collapse, a court in Hong Kong has heard.

Mr Lai, a 76-year-old UK citizen and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, is facing the prospect of life in prison if found guilty of sedition and collusion charges brought against him under the draconian national security law.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chan Tsz-wah, a paralegal turned prosecution witness, claimed Mr Lai shared an anti-China strategy with him, which would have paved the path for an American-style democracy.

On Day 63 of the trial, Mr Chan told the handpicked judges of West Kowloon Court: “Jimmy Lai said, ‘according to historical experience, China’s implosion would happen very soon because the government mobilised several resources …