Trump Urged to Press Xi on Lai's Release During State Visit

Washington — Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the United States since 2015, human rights advocates are urging President Donald Trump to make religious freedom and the case of Jimmy Lai central to their negotiations. While the summit is expected to focus heavily on technological competition and geopolitical conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine and the Iran war, campaigners argue that diplomatic friction must extend to fundamental civil liberties.

The high-stakes meeting, which includes a state dinner hosted by the First Family, will feature prominent tech leaders such as Sam Altman and Jensen Huang, signaling the centrality of artificial intelligence to the bilateral agenda. However, according to OSV News, a growing chorus of legal scholars and legislators is pushing the administration to ensure that human rights are not overshadowed by commercial and strategic interests during the bilateral discussions.

Diplomatic Strategy Amidst Global Tensions

Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor of international law at Notre Dame Law School, noted to OSV News that Xi’s decision to bypass the United Nations General Assembly in New York for a direct state visit in Washington reflects a calculated diplomatic choice. She argued that while the White House may prefer a controlled environment, the absence of a multilateral forum reduces the immediate pressure on Beijing regarding its broader conduct, including its stance on environmental protection and global health.

Despite the focus on AI and potential arms deals with Taiwan, O’Connell emphasized that the U.S. delegation must not neglect the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the implications of China’s energy purchases from Russia. She suggested that the state visit provides a unique opportunity to address these interconnected issues, rather than allowing the agenda to be dominated solely by technological rivalry.

Pressure for Jimmy Lai's Release

A primary point of contention is the continued imprisonment of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist who has been detained since late 2020. Lai, who founded the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted under China’s national security law, a statute critics say has been used to silence dissent in the Special Administrative Region. His case has become a symbolic flashpoint for freedom of expression advocates in the region.

Representative Chris Smith, a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, stated that President Trump must be "absolutely unmovable" regarding Lai’s situation. Smith argued that releasing Lai is a simple administrative decision for Xi and urged the President to convey that the United States expects immediate action, refusing to accept deflection or delay as a response to diplomatic requests.

Broad Advocacy on Religious Liberty

Beyond the specific case of Lai, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for broader advocacy on behalf of persecuted religious groups in China. According to reports, advocates are pressing the administration to address the suppression of Catholic communities and other faiths, arguing that religious persecution is a core human rights issue that warrants direct diplomatic engagement. The White House has not yet confirmed whether these specific topics will be formally placed on the summit agenda.

As the state dinner approaches, the focus remains on how the U.S. will balance its commercial interests with its stated values. Observers note that the outcome of these discussions will likely set the tone for U.S.-China relations in the coming year, with the treatment of human rights issues serving as a key indicator of the administration's diplomatic priorities.