Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai on Thursday told a court trying him for colluding with foreign powers that he paid a former U.S. general to advise former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen in late 2017, but denied seeking to endanger China's national security.

Former US general Jack Keane and ex-deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz received money for consultancy services for Taiwanese government.

Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified on Thursday that he brokered meetings between former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and American establishment figures, with prosecutors alleging that he colluded with foreign forces.

Jimmy Lai told the court he paid a retired US army general to advise then-Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen on Trump’s attitude to the island.

Ex-media boss admits to payment after prosecutors challenge his claim of no foreign policy influence in Hong Kong and the mainland.