Experts urge Trump to demand Hong Kong detainees' release at Xi summit

President Donald Trump is preparing for a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, and experts are urging him to make the release of Hong Kong political prisoners a top agenda item. The discussion is set for the end of May, a time when U.S. officials are looking for any leverage to press China on human rights issues that have strained relations for years.

The U.S. has long been critical of China’s implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, a law that many say erodes the city’s autonomy and civil liberties. Jimmy Lai, a media magnate who has openly opposed Beijing, and Joshua Wong, a student leader who has been jailed for protests, are two of the most high‑profile detainees. Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials linked to the crackdown, but the prisoners remain in custody. The timing of the visit comes after a surge in U.S. calls for accountability and after China’s recent refusal to release any political prisoners.

Human‑rights scholars, former diplomats, and civil‑society groups say that asking for the release of Lai and Wong would signal that the United States still defends democratic values. “If the U.S. can get a single name out of the Chinese system, it will show the world that the U.S. is willing to use its influence for principled reasons,” said Dr. Mei Chen, a professor of international law at Georgetown. Other experts note that Trump’s hard‑line rhetoric on China could be used as a bargaining chip, but also warn that a hard stance might provoke retaliation in trade or technology.

The meeting’s agenda is still being finalized, but officials expect that Trump will outline a list of U.S. expectations, including the release of political prisoners, the protection of press freedom, and a halt to the extradition of dissidents. If the U.S. succeeds, it could set a precedent for other countries to follow. If it fails, Beijing may double down on its crackdown, tightening its grip on Hong Kong’s political landscape. The outcome will have implications not only for the people of Hong Kong but also for global norms around freedom and human rights.