Donald Trump says he raised the case of Jimmy Lai with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his trip to Beijing, and that Xi described the possible release of the 78-year-old British citizen as “a tough one.” Lai, a prominent media figure and pro-democracy campaigner, has been held by China for an extended period. Sources reporting on the comments say Lai’s family and supporters had expected Trump to press for his release while in China. The reports indicate that, while Trump discussed the matter with Chinese officials, Xi did not offer a clear commitment to release Lai. The accounts focus on Trump’s claim about Xi’s reaction, portraying it as a setback to hopes that Lai could be freed during the visit. No additional specific timeline or conditions for Lai’s release are provided in the reports. The story centers on the response from China’s leadership to Trump’s request and the impact it has on those seeking Lai’s freedom.