Donald Trump has said he brought up the case of Jimmy Lai with Xi Jinping during the pair’s White House meeting.
Asked by reporters about whether Lai and other political prisoners were raised, the US President said: “I did. We talked and I think we had some very important discussions. Hopefully fruitful discussions.”
President Trump met with China’s leader last week, with human rights groups hoping that detained Christians and prisoners of conscience would be on the agenda.
Lai, 78, was jailed in February under Hong Kong’s national security law. A lay leader in the Roman Catholic Church and media tycoon, he was accused of “colluding” with foreign entities over his pro-democracy campaigning.
His 20-year prison term was likened to a “death sentence” by Benedict Rogers, a friend of Lai's and founder of Hong Kong Watch, when speaking to Premier Christian News earlier this year. There are concerns about his deteriorating health, and the fact he has been denied Communion.
After a previous meeting in May, Trump said Xi was giving “serious consideration” to the case of imprisoned pastor Ezra Jin. In July, the Beijing Zion Church founder was released.
But during that summit, Trump believed it would be “tough” for Xi to consider Lai’s release although gave no further details.
Trump also signalled he raised the case of Min Zin, a Myanmar scholar and US citizen. Washington deems him to be wrongfully detained by China.