Meeks Urges Trump to Defend Allies and Rights at Xi Summit
The ranking House foreign affairs member calls for a firm stance on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang ahead of the bilateral meeting.
Key points
- Rep. Gregory Meeks urged President Trump to prioritize U.S. allies and human rights during the upcoming summit with China.
- The statement cited over 2,700 political prisoners in China, including 120 journalists, as a key issue to address.
- Meeks called for the immediate release of specific detainees, including Jimmy Lai, Dong Yuyu, and Zhang Zhan.
In Washington, Representative Gregory W. Meeks issued a statement on Wednesday. He addressed the upcoming summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Meeks serves as the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He outlined key priorities for the U.S. delegation.
The representative emphasized that trade and Iran issues will likely dominate discussions. However, he warned that competition with Beijing must not harm U.S. allies. He stated that silence on human rights is unacceptable. According to House.gov, past administrations have balanced these goals. He urged President Trump to follow this precedent tomorrow.
Strategic Priorities for the Meeting
Meeks highlighted the importance of consistent U.S. policy regarding Taiwan. He noted that this stance has preserved regional stability for decades. He also called for support of Indo-Pacific allies. These nations face significant economic pressure from China. The representative described recent military actions as unacceptable.
Concerns Over Human Rights
The statement specifically mentioned pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. It also addressed ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet. Meeks described the treatment of these groups as severe. He urged the administration to speak out against these actions. This includes addressing transnational repression by Beijing.
Calls For Detainee Releases
Meeks cited figures from the material regarding political prisoners. He noted that over 2,700 individuals are currently held. This group includes 120 journalists. He specifically named several detainees for immediate release. These include Jimmy Lai, Dong Yuyu, and Zhang Zhan. He also mentioned U.S. citizens Min Zin and Youlin Chen.
