A group of Democrats from both congressional chambers is urging President Donald Trump to bring up cases of political prisoners in China when he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), ranking members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), sent a letter to Trump on Sept. 21. They said that advocating for the release of prisoners of conscience and demanding humane and transparent treatment of detainees should be a “basis for further discussions on the development of relations” between the United States and China.
“U.S. leadership in this area still holds great weight. Even a single mention of a detainee’s name by a senior U.S. official, let alone by yourself, can significantly increase that individual’s chances of clemency or improved treatment,” the lawmakers said. …