Hong Kong: Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified on Wednesday in a 'foreign collision' trial, marking his first court appearance since his arrest four years ago. Lai, aged 76, presented his defense at the West Kowloon Court under heightened security. He was observed by co-founders of the now-closed Apple Daily. According to Anadolu Agency, Lai denied accusations of 'using powerful friends to influence US foreign policy against Hong Kong,' as reported by the South China Morning Post. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of colluding with foreign forces and a sedition charge. If found guilty, Lai faces a potential life sentence. The trial, which commenced on December 18 of last year, is set to continue over the next three weeks, with lawyers scheduled to question and cross-examine Lai. He has been incarcerated at the maximum-security Stanley Prison and the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre for nearly four years since his arrest in December 2020. His arrest followed the 2019 anti-government demonstratio ns in Hong Kong and the subsequent imposition of a controversial national security law by China in the region. Lai's case is among those falling under this law, which was later mirrored by a similar law implemented by Hong Kong. His court appearance closely follows the conviction of 45 opposition activists in Hong Kong on subversion charges. Western nations' criticism of these arrests and trials has been met with strong rebuke from China. Hong Kong, returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 after being a British colony, remains under scrutiny. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reacted to Lai's court testimony by labeling him a "major mastermind and participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong." Lin also described Lai as "an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces." He further asserted that the regional government is committed to upholding national security in line with the Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which Lin stated is well-founded and beyond reproach.