# Newt Gingrich: Xi Should Bring Jimmy Lai to Washington

> Xi Jinping's Washington visit could include Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong democracy advocate jailed for 20 years.
- Title: Newt Gingrich: Xi Should Bring Jimmy Lai to Washington
- Summary: Xi Jinping's Washington visit could include Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong democracy advocate jailed for 20 years. Chinese President Xi Jinping should bring Jimmy…
- Keywords: xi jinping, jimmy lai, hong kong, democracy, trade, president trump, united states, china, releases, imprisonment, national security, seattle
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/opinion/newt-gingrich-xi-coming-washington-should-bring-unexpected-guest
- Author: Newt Gingrich
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: xi jinping, jimmy lai, hong kong, democracy, trade, president trump, united states, china, releases, imprisonment, national security, seattle
## Newt Gingrich's proposal
Newt Gingrich suggests Chinese President Xi Jinping bring Jimmy Lai to Washington during his upcoming meeting with President Trump.
## Jimmy Lai's imprisonment
Jimmy Lai, 78, a British Catholic newspaper publisher, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2026 for national security and sedition offenses.
## Lai's detention context
Lai's detention is seen as an example of the Chinese Communist Party silencing public dissent in Hong Kong, nearly universally rejected by the Western world.
## Trump's stance on Lai
President Trump has called for Lai's release since 2024 and reportedly raised it with Xi during May meetings.
## International pressure
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and G7 countries have called for Lai's immediate release.
## Lai's health and conditions
Lai has spent over five years in solitary confinement with health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
## Gingrich's recommendation
Releasing Lai would signal good faith in U.S.-China relations without resolving trade or Taiwan disagreements.
## Key takeaway

Chinese President Xi Jinping should bring Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong democracy advocate jailed for 20 years, to Washington for release during his upcoming meeting with President Trump.