When Chinese President Xi Jinping comes to Washington to meet with President Donald J.Trump next week, the agenda will be crowded.The two men will talk trade, artificial intelligence, investment and international competition — and ultimately the future of the world’s most important bilateral relationship.Reports indicate Xi is preparing to bring a substantial delegation of Chinese business executives with him — a sign of China’s interest in strengthening ties with America.
No doubt, Xi wants President Trump to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods and ease other trade restrictions that are throttling China’s economy.WHAT XI WANTS FROM TRUMP AS BEIJING SEEKS LEVERAGE IN HIGH-STAKES SUMMITBut if Xi wants to amplify this signal and show that he’s genuinely interested in playing fair with the West, he should bring another man: Jimmy Lai.Democracy advocate Jimmy Lai’s detention was clearly an example of the Xi Jinping's Chinese Communist Party seeking to silence public dissent in Hong Kong.It was nearly universally rejected by the Western world.
(Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)PRESIDENT TRUMP REVEALS XI JINPING'S RESPONSE TO POSSIBLY RELEASING IMPRISONED CHINESE CRITIC JIMMY LAILai is 78 years old.He is a British Catholic, newspaper publisher and longtime advocate of democracy in Hong Kong.
In December 2025, a Hong Kong court convicted him of national security and sedition offenses (which were based on a ludicrous, draconian Chinese security law).On Feb.
9, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.For a man of his age, this is effectively a life sentence.Lai’s detention was clearly an example of the Chinese Communist Party seeking to silence public dissent in Hong Kong.
It was nearly universally rejected by the Western world.If President Xi wants to make a strong impression — and clearly communicate that he is serious about seeking a better relationship with President Trump and the U.S.— he should bring Lai with him to Washington and release him to the c...