The national security trial of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai on Tuesday heard that the ultimate goal of introducing an English edition of the newspaper was to garner international support and have overseas countries put pressure on the authorities.

Former associate publisher Chan Pui-man, one of six former senior staff who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit collusion, testified that her ex-boss had hoped the English edition would help to solicit protection from foreign countries such as the United States.

According to messaging records dated May 2020, Lai had sought to get prominent overseas figures, including then-US vice-president Mike Pence, to subscribe to the English version of the newspaper.

"I believe Lai felt that if foreign leaders were to subscribe to us, it would represent their stance, which was in support of Apple Daily and himself,” Chan said.

The court also heard that then Apple Daily columnist Fung Hei-kin had suggested introducing the English edition to “break the monopoly” of the South China Morning Post in English newspapers in Hong Kong.

Lai stressed that readers would subscribe to Apple Daily’s English version if it was “very different” from the South China Morning Post, the ex-associate publisher said.

In messaging records shown in court, Chan suggested hiring people to write English commentaries on Hong Kong, rather than just translating articles from Chinese.

Chan added that former editor-in-chief of the Apple Daily English edition, Fung Wai-kong, selected content in accordance with Lai's stance by focusing on reports critical of mainland China and news that the international community would be concerned about.

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

The trial continues on Wednesday.