Durbin and Allies Urge Trump to Seek Chinese Prisoner Releases

Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and a coalition of international leaders called on President Donald Trump to secure the release of political and religious prisoners during his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. In a Tuesday speech on the Senate floor, Durbin specifically named Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, Uyghur entrepreneur Ekpar Asat, and Christian leaders Gao Quanfu and Pang Yu.

Advocates, including U.S. Representative Chris Smith and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, joined the call for action ahead of the Wednesday night summit. Supporters are seeking the release of Zion Church leaders and Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen, among others. These requests follow the July release of Pastor Ezra Jin, who attributed his freedom to Trump raising his case directly with Xi Jinping.

While the summit is expected to prioritize AI policy and rare earth minerals, Durbin argued the meeting is a timely opportunity to address human rights alongside shared concerns regarding nuclear proliferation and global economic stability. He also noted continued disagreements over the war in Ukraine, the future of Taiwan, and the export of fentanyl precursors from China. Trump has previously positioned the defense of persecuted Christians as a hallmark of his second term, having criticized the United Nations for ignoring such persecution globally.