During an upcoming visit to Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump plans to address several sensitive issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including arms sales to Taiwan and the detention of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Trump announced this to reporters at the White House, emphasizing that these discussions form part of a broader dialogue with President Xi. Notably, the U.S. had previously declared its largest weapon sale to Taiwan, valued at over $11 billion, a move that has drawn China’s disapproval.
In recent statements, Trump has reiterated the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to Taiwan’s defense, despite President Xi’s wishes to halt American support. Trump expressed confidence that tensions over Taiwan would not escalate during his term, citing his strong relationship with the Chinese leader as a stabilizing factor. “I don’t think it’ll happen,” Trump assured, indicating his belief in peaceful relations.
Another critical topic on Trump’s agenda is the case of Jimmy Lai, a staunch pro-democracy figure and vocal critic of Beijing, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison earlier this year. His charges include conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials. The media mogul’s imprisonment has sparked international concern over Hong Kong’s diminishing freedoms under China’s national security law, and Trump expressed his intent to advocate for Lai’s release in discussions with Xi.
In addition to Lai’s situation, Trump aims to address the arrest of Pastor Jin Mingri, the founder of Zion Church, who was detained following China’s implementation of new regulations on religious activities. These rules, issued by China’s top religious authority, prohibit unauthorized online preaching and foreign involvement in religious affairs. By raising these issues, Trump seeks to challenge the broader crackdown on religious freedom within China.