The President of the United States, Donald Trump, declared this Monday that he will discuss the issue of arms sales to Taiwan and will ask Chinese President Xi Jinping for the release of political prisoners from the regime during his visit to Beijing this week, starting on Wednesday.
Washington's support for Taiwan's defense has been longstanding and has become a national policy. In December, Trump announced the largest arms package in U.S. history for the island, valued at over $11 billion, although some White House officials emphasized that the Taiwanese government must start contributing to its own defense.
However, Trump told reporters that he doubts the tension over the island will escalate during his presidency and that there will be no change in Washington's policy toward the island "I think we will be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows that I don't want that to happen," the Republican stated.
Trump prepares for his summit with Xi: He will demand the regime release political prisoners and will discuss Taiwan.
Trump will ask for the release of political prisoners
In the same exchange with the press, Trump anticipated that he will ask Xi for the release of Jimmy Lai, the most recognized opposition figure of the Chinese regime in Hong Kong who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials.
"Jimmy Lai is like that, he caused a lot of upheaval in China. He tried to do the right thing. He was not successful, went to jail, and people would like him to be released. And I would also like him to be released," the state leader assured, adding that he has previously raised Lai's case with China, which highlights the extent of Xi's regime's repression in Hong Kong.
Another dissident for whom Trump will advocate is Jin Mingri, the founding pastor of the Zion Church who was arrested late last year. Mingri's detention occurred after the communist regime prohibited the Zion congregation from engaging in religious activities, accusing them, as in Lai's case, of conspiring with foreign forces.
