US Leaders Condemn China Human Rights Abuses Ahead of Summit

President Donald Trump and several U.S. senators issued sharp condemnations of the Chinese Communist Party's human rights record on September 23, 2026, immediately preceding a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump, speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, accused the UN Human Rights Council of hypocrisy for ignoring the persecution of Christians and the crimes of repressive regimes.

In Washington, Senators James Lankford and Angus King introduced a bipartisan resolution detailing the Chinese Communist Party's 105-year history of atrocities. The resolution cites the Yan’an Rectification Movement, the Chinese Land Reform movement, and the current detention of approximately 1 million Uyghur Muslims. Simultaneously, Senator Ted Budd denounced a "war on faith" in China, specifically highlighting the detention of eight Zion Church leaders.

These actions serve as a prelude to President Xi Jinping's visit, which begins Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews and continues through Friday. Lawmakers are urging the president to maintain a strong position during bilateral talks that will cover an expiring trade truce, regional security, Taiwan, and the artificial intelligence race.