Senior bipartisan US lawmakers have called on President Donald Trump to discuss cases of political prisoners and detained Americans with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming talks. The lawmakers emphasized that Beijing’s actions pose a threat to American interests and families. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s use of “hostage diplomacy” and coercive measures against US citizens and their relatives.
The bipartisan letter, signed by Senator Dan Sullivan, Representative Chris Smith, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Representative James McGovern, stressed the CCP’s control over individuals and families, both in China and the United States. The lawmakers specifically mentioned four cases that they want Trump to raise in all high-level engagements with Xi Jinping. These cases include Pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin, a Protestant pastor imprisoned for his religious activities, and Dr. Gulshan Abbas, a Uyghur physician serving a 20-year sentence.
Furthermore, the letter highlighted the cases of Uyghur entrepreneur Ekpar Asat and Gao Zhen, a US lawful permanent resident accused of offenses related to artwork. The lawmakers argued that advocating for these political prisoners publicly and privately would help safeguard Americans and increase pressure on Chinese authorities. They also urged the State Department to maintain a priority list of political prisoner and exit-ban cases for diplomatic engagements with Chinese leaders.
In a separate development, Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed reports of upcoming US-China talks on artificial intelligence between Trump and Xi Jinping. Sanders emphasized the importance of prioritizing human interests over technological advancements and called for cooperation on AI safety measures. He urged both leaders to work towards a treaty to regulate superintelligence, drawing parallels to past negotiations on nuclear arms control during the Cold War.
Human rights issues have long been a contentious topic in US-China relations, alongside disputes over trade, Taiwan, technology controls, and military activities. Washington has consistently criticized Beijing for arbitrary detentions and human rights violations in regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China, established in 2000, plays a crucial role in monitoring human rights and legal developments in China, providing valuable insights to policymakers, diplomats, and advocacy groups.
