Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai hoped to call for sanctions from the United States through a letter campaign to then American leader Donald Trump ahead of the national security law’s enactment in 2020, an ex-senior executive of Apple Daily has told the national security trial of his former boss.

Continuing his testimony as an accomplice witness, Cheung Kim-hung on Tuesday recalled Lai instructing him to roll out the campaign, “One Hongkonger One Letter to Save Hong Kong”, in May 2020.

The newspaper later published the campaign on its front page for three days, appealing to people to participate and write to Trump, the court heard.

The ex-publisher said the letter, which read “Mr President, please help us”, was believed to be drafted by Lai’s personal assistant, Mark Simon, upon the defendant’s instructions.

Lai thought Trump was “a man of action, not a man of mere talk” after he signed into law the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and banned weapon exports to police in 2019, the court heard.

Presented with a draft article by Lai marking the now-defunct outlet’s 25th anniversary in 2020, Cheung said his former boss had believed having more foreign Apple Daily subscribers would bring more “political protection”.

Cheung added he understood that meant having sanctions imposed if Chinese authorities were to interfere with the paper.

The court was also told that the defendant was firmly behind the anti-extradition bill movement in 2019.

“[Lai] participated in every demonstration, walking at the front [of the procession] and holding banners. As a result, the whole local news team was very involved in its coverage,” Cheung said.

Presented with four Apple Daily articles related to the 2019 protests, the ex-publisher told the court that they aligned with Lai’s stance in supporting people to take to the streets to “fight for freedom”, denouncing the use of force by the police, and advocating against driving a wedge between peaceful and radical protesters.

“[Lai believed] division would isolate protesters who’re more radical,” Cheung said.

“He witnessed radical protestors damaging stores during the demonstrations, but he didn’t think it was a big deal. He thought those young people were so brave and very involved in the movement.”

The Apple Daily founder has denied three conspiracy charges relating to collusion with foreign forces and sedition.

Cheung is among six former staff who admitted to conspiracy to commit collusion.

The trial continues on Wednesday.