Beijing Summit: Trump to Raise Jimmy Lai Case, US Lawmakers Demand Release
US lawmakers are urging former President Donald Trump to demand the release of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai from Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to China. Lai has been detained since 2020 and was convicted of 'collusion with foreign forces' in February.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 22:27
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 8th, comprehensive foreign report) Ahead of U.S. President Trump's visit to China next week, bipartisan lawmakers, including about two-thirds of the Federal Senate, are urging him to advocate for the release of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong's Next Digital Group, a staunch critic of the Chinese Communist Party, who has been detained since 2020.
The Washington Post reported that more than 100 lawmakers sent a letter to Trump yesterday, asking him to raise Jimmy Lai's case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting next week and to seek his freedom. Trump had promised during his 2024 campaign to help secure the release of the British citizen, who has become a symbol of Hong Kong's democracy movement, but has not yet fulfilled it.
The Post reviewed a copy of the joint letter, led by Republican lawmakers, which stated: "Your direct involvement is crucial to achieving Mr. Lai's immediate parole on humanitarian grounds, allowing him to receive appropriate medical care and reunite with his family."
The open letter was signed by 68 senators, over 40 of whom are Republicans; and by over 35 representatives, including over 25 Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Republican Senate elder Mitch McConnell, Senator Lisa Murkowski, considered a moderate Republican, and Representative Nancy Pelosi all participated in the signing.
This trip is overshadowed by tensions in Iran, and Trump also faces high pressure to achieve concrete results on issues such as trade, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence (AI). This appeal further burdens Trump's Beijing agenda. He has also shifted his focus from human rights issues, which were central to some parts of his first term's China policy, to pursuing more concrete economic and strategic agreements with Beijing.
For Jimmy Lai, the Beijing summit may represent a rare opportunity. The 78-year-old was convicted of 'collusion with foreign forces' in February and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lai denies the charges, and the U.S. government also argues that these charges are politically motivated. His international legal team believes that diplomatic mediation by the U.S. and British governments to reach an agreement is his greatest hope for freedom.
Lawmakers pointed out in their letter to Trump: "Now is a critical time to re-emphasize this case, not only because of Mr. Lai's age and health, but also because this will be your first meeting with Xi Jinping since the Hong Kong courts concluded legal proceedings against Mr. Lai."
Trump had stated during his 2024 presidential campaign that if he returned to the White House, he would be '100 percent' able to secure Lai's release. Trump said at the time: "He would be released very easily."
Trump also said in an interview on the 4th that he would raise Jimmy Lai's case at the China summit. He told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt: "I will talk about this issue."
He also mentioned that he had raised Jimmy Lai's case when he met Xi Jinping in South Korea last October. Trump said on the 4th: "I think there's still some bad blood between President Xi and Mr. Lai. The Hong Kong issue is not easy to deal with."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was a staunch critic of China's human rights record during his time as a senator, is also expected to accompany the visit next week. When asked on the 6th whether human rights issues would be discussed during the talks, he pointed out that the U.S. 'always' raises human rights issues 'when appropriate.' (Compiled by Ho Hung-ju) 1150508
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(Central News Agency, Washington, 8th, comprehensive foreign report) Ahead of U.S. President Trump's visit to China next week, bipartisan lawmakers, including about two-thirds of the Federal Senate, are urging him to advocate for the release of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong's Next Digital Group, a staunch critic of the Chinese Communist Party, who has been detained since 2020.
The Washington Post reported that more than 100 lawmakers sent a letter to Trump yesterday, asking him to raise Jimmy Lai's case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting next week and to seek his freedom. Trump had promised during his 2024 campaign to help secure the release of the British citizen, who has become a symbol of Hong Kong's democracy movement, but has not yet fulfilled it.
The Post reviewed a copy of the joint letter, led by Republican lawmakers, which stated: "Your direct involvement is crucial to achieving Mr. Lai's immediate parole on humanitarian grounds, allowing him to receive appropriate medical care and reunite with his family."
The open letter was signed by 68 senators, over 40 of whom are Republicans; and by over 35 representatives, including over 25 Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Republican Senate elder Mitch McConnell, Senator Lisa Murkowski, considered a moderate Republican, and Representative Nancy Pelosi all participated in the signing.
This trip is overshadowed by tensions in Iran, and Trump also faces high pressure to achieve concrete results on issues such as trade, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence (AI). This appeal further burdens Trump's Beijing agenda. He has also shifted his focus from human rights issues, which were central to some parts of his first term's China policy, to pursuing more concrete economic and strategic agreements with Beijing.
For Jimmy Lai, the Beijing summit may represent a rare opportunity. The 78-year-old was convicted of 'collusion with foreign forces' in February and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lai denies the charges, and the U.S. government also argues that these charges are politically motivated. His international legal team believes that diplomatic mediation by the U.S. and British governments to reach an agreement is his greatest hope for freedom.
Lawmakers pointed out in their letter to Trump: "Now is a critical time to re-emphasize this case, not only because of Mr. Lai's age and health, but also because this will be your first meeting with Xi Jinping since the Hong Kong courts concluded legal proceedings against Mr. Lai."
Trump had stated during his 2024 presidential campaign that if he returned to the White House, he would be '100 percent' able to secure Lai's release. Trump said at the time: "He would be released very easily."
Trump also said in an interview on the 4th that he would raise Jimmy Lai's case at the China summit. He told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt: "I will talk about this issue."
He also mentioned that he had raised Jimmy Lai's case when he met Xi Jinping in South Korea last October. Trump said on the 4th: "I think there's still some bad blood between President Xi and Mr. Lai. The Hong Kong issue is not easy to deal with."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was a staunch critic of China's human rights record during his time as a senator, is also expected to accompany the visit next week. When asked on the 6th whether human rights issues would be discussed during the talks, he pointed out that the U.S. 'always' raises human rights issues 'when appropriate.' (Compiled by Ho Hung-ju) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.