Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai on Thursday told a court trying him for colluding with foreign powers that he paid a former U.S. general to advise former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen in late 2017, but denied seeking to endanger China's national security.

Former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has admitted to connecting three ex-United States officials with the Taiwanese government to offer advice on foreign relations and strengthening diplomatic ties with Washington,

With less than a week before leaving the White House, President Joe Biden on Wednesday again shielded Hong Kongers who stay in the United States beyond the expiration of their visas from deportation.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered a two-year extension of a program allowing Hong Kong residents living in the US to stay beyond the expiry of visas.