The Economist.

Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist.

I'm your host, Rosie Bloor.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Thank you. we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. London is a fantastic city, and I speak here, of course, as a completely unbiased Londoner.

But the current Labour government has made some surprising policy decisions that could be

really bad for the capital. What's going on?

And tis the time of year to be merry, which means that many of us will be nursing a hangover

on a not-in-frequent basis. But before you reach for the fry-up or that apparently curative

mid-morning beer, our correspondent has some sober words of advice.

But first... The story of Hong Kong over the past five years is one of progressive stifling.

In that painful history, today will stand out.

Jimmy Lai was one of the most powerful and outspoken critics of the regime.

His publications cheered the millions of Hong Kongers who marched against the

Territory's government in 2019 and which later became violent. Now, after a long-running trial

in which Lai was accused of flouting national security laws, judges have announced their verdict.

Jimmy Lai is Hong Kong's most famous media mogul, and today he was found guilty of collusion

with foreign forces and of sedition.

Alice Sue is our senior international correspondent and a former host of Drum Tower, our China podcast.

He's a tycoon who has already been in jail for five years on a separate conviction of fraud,

and he now potentially faces a life sentence. It speaks to the state of Hong Kong's civil liberties.

So, Alice, let's just take a step back for a minute. Tell me a bit more about Jimmy Lai himself

...