The opening gambit in the trial of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying drew attention to his vast sums of money being used to fund many anti-China individuals and organizations, including those in the media. But what was particularly intriguing were the funds that were diverted to a one-time top American defense official advocating US world domination.

According to the prosecution, payments totaling $224,000 were given to Paul Wolfowitz, former US deputy secretary of defense, as well as an additional sum of $14,800 to the right-wing US think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI), to which Wolfowitz is connected.

Former media magnate Lai is in court facing charges of sedition and conspiring with external forces. The first week of the trial was devoted to various legal arguments as well as the prosecution’s opening case.

Although the payments to Wolfowitz and AEI are relatively tiny compared to the $12.7 million in Lai’s slush fund, it is interesting to note why they were made to this particular individual who is practically unknown in this part of the world.

In February 1992, Wolfowitz, then US undersecretary of defense for policy, and his deputy Scooter Libby published the US Defense Planning Guidance up to 1999. The highly controversial document became known as the Wolfowitz Doctrine.

But Wolfowitz’s views, published in The New York Times, were so outrageous that the guidance document had to be rewritten by his boss, Dick Cheney, then secretary for defense. 

Wolfowitz maintained that the US was the world’s only superpower and must aim to retain that status. And that the US must show the leadership necessary to establish a new order that “holds the promise of convincing potential competitors that they need not aspire to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive posture to protect their legitimate interests. In non-defense areas, we must account sufficiently for the interests of the advanced industrial nations to discourage them from challenging our leadership or seeking to overturn the established political and economic order. We must maintain the mechanism for deterring potential competitors from aspiring to a larger regional or global role.”

This was too strong for Cheney and his team, so they toned it down to read: “One of the primary tasks we face today in shaping the future is carrying long-standing alliances into the new era and turning old enmities into new cooperative relationships. If we and other leading democracies continue to build a democratic security community, a much safer world is likely to emerge. If we act separately, many other problems could result.”

The opening gambit in the trial of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying drew attention to his vast sums of money being used to fund many anti-China individuals and organizations, including those in the media. But what was particularly intriguing were the funds that were diverted to a one-time top American defense official advocating US world domination

Wolfowitz is by no means a diplomat, even though he has held such a post, and his draft texts show that he is the type of man who would accept Lai’s money, although the purpose of the handout is unknown.

The AEI, another recipient of Lai’s money, says its foreign and defense policy scholars are dedicated to believing that American global leadership is vital to a peaceful, prosperous, and free world.

Wolfowitz maintained that the US sanctions against China have had limited impact. As a visiting scholar at AEI, Wolfowitz is a firm believer in the ironic and illogical doctrine that portrays US hegemony as “a prerequisite for world peace”.

When the US’ credibility as a “peacemaker” is in jeopardy, Wolfowitz is eager to restore it because, as he has mentioned, “the US’ military force is the best hope of avoiding a war”. 

A scholar, he holds a doctoral degree in political science. He also speaks five languages and once served as ambassador to Indonesia. After leaving his defense job at the Pentagon, he was appointed president of the World Bank.

Despite his experience in the international arena, the former Pentagon high-up was always more of a fighter than a diplomat. He drew up the plan to invade Iraq in 2001 and, indeed, has been widely described as the architect of that war. 

His wishful thinking is that US world supremacy will not be challenged, which gives him the reputation of a “warmonger”. That said, Lai’s real motive for funding Wolfowitz the warmonger is unknown.

Undoubtedly, we’ll hear more of Lai’s extravagant spending as the trial continues with support from his Canadian treasure chest, Lais Hotel Properties, owner of eight luxury hotels and restaurants throughout Canada operating under the Vintage Hotels Group. Lais Hotel Properties was bought by Jimmy Lai’s twin sister, Si Wai Lai, in 1999, and according to Dun & Bradstreet, Mark Simon, Jimmy Lai’s right-hand man, is listed as CEO. Royston Chow Tat-kuen, a former director of Next Digital and publisher of Apple Daily, is also a director of the company. And the list goes on. As the trial continues, Hong Kong’s robust and solid rule of law will be revealed to the world.  

The author is a former Chief Information Officer of Hong Kong Government, a PR & Media Consultant and veteran journalist.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.