Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, will host Claire Lai at President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. Claire Lai is the daughter of Jimmy Lai, a prominent advocate for democracy and free speech in Hong Kong.
Smith explained that his wife gave her ticket to Claire Lai because they are inspired by her ongoing campaign for her father’s release. “My wife, Marie, gave Claire her ticket to the State of the Union, because we are so deeply inspired by her courageous and tenacious campaign to obtain the release of her father—the Hong Kong free speech and religious liberty hero—Jimmy Lai,” said Rep. Chris Smith, who authored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
Smith also praised both Claire and her brother Sebastien for their efforts. “She and her brother, Sebastien—who testified at a 2023 congressional hearing I chaired on Jimmy Lai—have been absolutely amazing in their past and ongoing appeal to Xi Jinping to release their dad. They love and respect their father so much, which further inspires us all to act—including President Trump, who has raised Jimmy Lai’s unjust incarceration numerous times.”
For six years, Smith has advocated for Jimmy Lai’s release through legislation such as HR 2522 and by chairing congressional hearings focused on his case. He has condemned actions by Chinese authorities regarding Hong Kong’s judicial system.
“Earlier this month, a CCP-controlled Hong Kong court unconscionably sentenced Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old, to serve 20 years in a maximum-security prison; functionally, a life sentence. The only ‘crime’ that Jimmy committed was telling the truth, which is why we must remain resolute in our efforts to raise awareness of this grave injustice and to call for his immediate release.”
Chris Smith currently represents New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress after succeeding Frank Thompson in 1981. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and lives in Manchester Township. Smith graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
