Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai had hoped that the English edition of Apple Daily would reach American readers, an ex-senior executive of the now-defunct newspaper said on Thursday in the ongoing national security trial of his former boss.

Former Apple Daily publisher Cheung Kim-hung, who testified as an accomplice witness for a second day, also said his ex-boss told senior staff that articles translated from the newspaper’s Chinese version for the English edition should be anti-communist and against Hong Kong authorities.

The court heard discussions on launching an English edition of Apple Daily began in 2020, with a WhatsApp chat group named “English news” started by Lai.

Cheung said he was part of the group that also included the paper's former associate publisher Chan Pui-man, former editor-in-chief Ryan Law and ex-digital director Cheung Chi-wai, among others.

The former head of the English edition, Fung Wai-kong, later joined the group, the former publisher added.

Cheung said Lai believed it was a “very suitable moment” to launch the English edition and foreign readers would be “a huge assistance to Apple Daily”.

“[Lai] was hoping that American readers could become the 'lever' between Apple Daily and US politics,” Cheung told the court.

The former publisher also said he was not involved with the defendant’s online programme “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai”.

Cheung said Lai and his personal assistant Mark Simon were responsible for arranging guests, including scholars, politicians and former government officials.

The programme was aimed at making the national security law a topic of discussion after it came into effect, Cheung said.

Government prosecutor Anthony Chau presented in court messaging records between Lai and Cheung, including conversations regarding a photo sent by the defendant about a 2019 meeting between former chief secretary Anson Chan and then-US vice president Mike Pence.

Cheung said he was told to use news of the meeting to its “maximum effect”, which meant covering it as much as possible and featuring the story on the outlet’s mobile app.

Cheung, who's also the former CEO of Next Digital, Apple Daily's parent firm, is among six former staff members who admitted to conspiracy to commit collusion.

Lai had earlier denied three conspiracy charges relating to collusion with foreign forces and sedition.

The trial continues on Friday.