As President Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, members of the Republican Party have urged him to prioritize the release of Americans unjustly detained in China and call for an end to the country’s religious and political persecution.
The discussions between Trump and Xi, set for Wednesday evening or Thursday morning in South Korea, are primarily aimed at addressing the ongoing trade tensions. However, Trump’s second term has seen a strong focus on securing the release of American detainees abroad.
Bill Drexel, related to Rev. Ezra Jin—who was arrested by Chinese authorities for leading the underground Zion Church—highlighted the urgency of their situation. Jin’s children are all American citizens, and Drexel has communicated with him through an attorney. He expressed concern for Jin’s health, particularly that he hasn’t received necessary medication for his diabetes while imprisoned.
“Initially, he wasn’t given any medication at all,” Drexel noted. “While the government provides some other treatments, he still lacks access to his prescribed medications and is currently in a cell with around 30 other inmates.” That’s the gist of what we understand for now.
Notably, Trump has successfully facilitated the release of 20 hostages held by Hamas recently and previously secured the freedom of an American citizen trapped there. In May, his administration reported that they had helped 47 Americans return home from overseas detentions.
This ongoing focus provides reassurance to families and friends advocating for the freedom of their loved ones.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), along with Reps. John Moolener (R-Mich.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), wrote to Trump on October 22, urging him to prioritize Jin’s case along with six others, including two Americans facing drug trafficking accusations, a legal resident detained for anti-government artwork, and a family of journalists from Radio Free Asia.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has also expressed support, spearheading a resolution to condemn Jin’s arrest and that of other Zion Church members, which has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In a parallel effort, a bipartisan group of over 20 senators sent another letter to Trump on October 23. This letter urged Trump to advocate for the release of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong publisher arrested in 2020, whose detention has drawn accusations of political motivation.
Prominent signatories include Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-Idaho) and others from both parties. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida), who also signed, speculated that Trump might discuss Lai’s situation further during the meeting with Xi.
“I believe he’s concentrating on ensuring they are released,” Scott remarked.
Republicans in the Senate are increasingly advocating for harsher reactions to China’s treatment of religious minorities. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) submitted a bill seeking sanctions against Chinese officials involved in such persecution, supported by Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) in the House.
Budd pointed out that China’s disregard for religious freedom is part of a broader, troubling pattern of abuse that demands a strong response from the U.S. “As the leader of the free world, we must promote religious freedom everywhere and hold the authoritarian regime in China accountable for its longstanding persecution of religious communities,” he said.
Co-sponsors of the Senate bill include Sen. Thom Tillis (R-Ind.) and others, while in the House, several Republican representatives have also backed the initiative.
The Hill has reached out to the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., for a response.
