Ocean County Leader

Legislation introduced by Reps. Chris Smith and Tom Suozzi aims to rename the address of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Washington, DC as 1 Jimmy Lai Way in honor of the imprisoned Hong Kong human rights defender, Jimmy Lai.

"Jimmy Lai is a man of faith and conviction, someone who fervently believed that Hong Kong’s prosperity and vitality were built on the rights promised to its citizens," expressed Rep. Smith, who nominated Lai for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. He added, "For peacefully acting on this belief, he is arbitrarily detained."

Rep. Suozzi emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with those opposing the Chinese government's tyranny, stating, "Naming a street in Washington, DC, after Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy advocate and journalist standing up for human rights in Hong Kong, will signal to the entire world that the United States stands in solidarity with those who oppose the tyranny and repression of the Chinese government."

The move to rename the address comes in response to the unjust imprisonment of Lai, a 76-year-old democracy advocate and media entrepreneur, who has been incarcerated since December 2020 on politically-motivated charges. Despite facing hardships, Lai's commitment to democracy and human rights remains unwavering.

The legislation introduced by Reps. Smith and Suozzi also aims to raise awareness about the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong, with Rep. Smith highlighting the need to hold the Hong Kong government and Chinese Communist Party accountable for their actions.

The proposed street name change is seen as a symbolic gesture to showcase opposition to authoritarianism and human rights abuses. Rep. Smith's previous legislation and its companion bill in the Senate, which address the privileges and immunities granted to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the United States, have garnered support and are awaiting further consideration by both chambers.

As efforts to advocate for Jimmy Lai's release and raise awareness about the situation in Hong Kong continue, the renaming of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office's address in Washington, DC to 1 Jimmy Lai Way serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong.