Trump Lands in China As Pressure Mounts Over Iran War, Human Rights
United States President, Donald Trump, has arrived in Beijing for a major summit with Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, setting the stage for high-level talks expected to focus on trade tensions, global security concerns and human rights issues.
The visit marks the first official state trip to China by a sitting U.S. president since Trump’s earlier visit in 2017, and comes at a time of growing international scrutiny over diplomatic relations between both superpowers.
Trump and Xi are expected to meet in Beijing between May 14 and May 15, where they will discuss several key global and bilateral matters, including economic cooperation, geopolitical tensions and concerns surrounding religious freedom in China.
Ahead of the meeting, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged Trump to raise the case of detained Chinese Pastor, Ezra Jin Mingri and other religious leaders during his discussions with Xi.
In a letter dated March 24, 2026, and later shared by U.S. Congressman, Riley Moore, on May 9, the lawmakers described the detention of the pastor and other church leaders by Chinese authorities as arbitrary and deeply troubling.
The lawmakers called on Trump to push for the release of Ezra Jin Mingri, who was reportedly detained on October 10, 2025, alongside members of Zion Church. They also appealed to the U.S. President to demand that Chinese authorities allow the Pastor to leave the country.
According to the letter, the concerns go beyond one case, as lawmakers accused China of continued persecution of Christians, Uyghurs, Tibetans and other religious and ethnic minority groups.
They cited reports from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, the U.S. State Department and several human rights organisations documenting alleged abuses, including arbitrary arrests, prison sentences, destruction of worship centres, surveillance and intimidation of religious groups.
The lawmakers also reminded Trump that existing U.S. laws, including the International Religious Freedom Act, provide the administration with tools such as sanctions and diplomatic measures to address severe violations of religious freedom abroad.
Among their requests, the lawmakers urged Trump to directly seek the release of Ezra Jin Mingri and other detained church leaders linked to Zion Church, Yayang Church, Light of Zion Church and Early Rain Covenant Church during his meeting with Xi Jinping.
