# Trump must press Xi on China's prisoners > As Trump meets Xi, he should demand the release of religious prisoners, dissidents, and Hong Kong activists jailed for peaceful protest. - Title: Trump must press Xi on China's prisoners · Foreign Policy - Summary: As Trump meets Xi, he should demand the release of religious prisoners, dissidents, and Hong Kong activists jailed for peaceful protest. Trump has leverage… - Keywords: trump, xi jinping, china, human rights, religious persecution, hong kong, jimmy lai, joshua wong, uyghurs, tibet, political prisoners, dissidents - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/24/trump-xi-dissidents-uyghurs-christians - Author: Benedict Rogers - Read time: 3 min - Topics: trump, xi jinping, china, human rights, religious persecution, hong kong, jimmy lai, joshua wong, uyghurs, tibet, political prisoners, dissidents ## Trump meets Xi in Washington Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on September 24, 2026, with tariffs, trade, AI, and Taiwan on the agenda. ## Human rights must be on the table Trump should prioritize China's human rights crisis in the summit, even if he personally isn't focused on it. His supporters, advisors, and Congress care deeply about these issues. ## Trump has proven he can win releases Trump previously secured the release of pastor Ezra Jin Mingri from a Beijing jail in July 2026, less than two months after pressing Xi for his freedom during a May meeting. ## Uyghur genocide must be addressed Both Trump administrations and the Biden administration have recognized China's treatment of Uyghurs as genocide. Trump should demand action on this and atrocities in Tibet. ## Eight Zion Church pastors detained Eight colleagues and leaders of Zion Church, where Ezra Jin was pastor, have been detained for nearly a year for holding unauthorized religious services. Trump should demand their release. ## Pastor John Cao dying in prison John Cao, a jailed pastor and U.S. permanent resident, has been imprisoned for almost a decade and is now dying of cancer. Trump should demand his immediate release on humanitarian grounds. ## Jimmy Lai faces life in prison Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, 78, is serving a 20-year sentence after six years in jail. His daughter Claire has been diagnosed with cancer, making his release a humanitarian imperative. > Lai, who has already spent the past six years in jail, will die in prison if international pressure for his release is not sustained. ## Joshua Wong imprisoned for activism Joshua Wong, 29, has spent most of his twenties in prison for pro-democracy activism that began as a teenager. He now faces charges of collusion with foreign forces that could mean life imprisonment. ## Hong Kong activists jailed for vigil Lawyers Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho, and trade unionist Lee Cheuk-yan, were sentenced to seven years in prison for organizing a candlelit vigil commemorating the Tiananmen massacre. ## Uyghur scholars and activists detained Uyghurs with U.S. relatives including Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Ekpar Asat, and Ilham Tohti are imprisoned. Scholar Min Zin, a U.S. citizen, was arrested at a Chinese airport in June 2026. ## Tibetan prisoners and missing lamas Trump should raise cases of Tibetan monks and activists jailed for protesting. He should also ask Xi about the 11th Panchen Lama, kidnapped in 1995, and lawyer Gao Zhisheng, missing for nine years. ## China's secret police stations abroad Secret Chinese police stations have been discovered operating in the United States and United Kingdom to surveil and intimidate dissidents. Trump should demand this transnational repression stop immediately. ## Chinese interference in U.S. institutions China has pressured American organizations like the U.S.-China Catholic Association to cancel events featuring Chinese scholars. Trump must make clear that Chinese interference in U.S. institutions is unacceptable. ## Taiwan needs strong U.S. deterrence Trump must warn Xi that U.S. arms supplies to Taiwan will continue and that military invasion or economic blockade will have severe consequences. Only strong deterrence prevents catastrophe. ## A legacy of freedom and security Trump has the opportunity to secure prisoner releases and prevent Taiwan invasion, creating a noble legacy. Success requires boldness and sustained pressure on Xi throughout his presidency. > becoming the president who secured the release of Jimmy Lai, Joshua Wong, the Zion 8, or any of the other brave Hong Kong, Chinese, Uyghur, and Tibetan prisoners ## Key takeaway Trump has leverage to free political and religious prisoners in China and should use the Xi summit to demand their release, building on his past success with pastor Ezra Jin.