US President Donald Trump yesterday said he would discuss the topic of arms sales to Taiwan and the case of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英) with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing this week.
"I'm going to have that discussion with President Xi," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Washington's longstanding support for Taiwan's defense.
"President Xi would like us not to, and I'll have that discussion. That's one of the many things I'll be talking about," he said.
Photo: Reuters
In December, Trump announced the largest-ever US weapons package for Taiwan at more than US$11 billion.
In recent days, Trump's aides have urged Taiwan to commit even more money to its defense, and a US official said the Trump-Xi summit signaled no change in policy toward Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters, Trump repeated his doubt that tension over Taiwan would erupt during his presidency.
"I don't think it'll happen," he said, without elaborating. "I think we'll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don't want that to happen."
Trump also said he would bring up with his Chinese counterpart the case of Lai, a veteran pro-democracy advocate and Hong Kong's most vocal China critic.
Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail in February on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials.
"Jimmy Lai — he caused lots of turmoil for China. He tried to do the right thing. He wasn't successful, went to jail, and people would like him out, and I'd like to see him get out too. So I'll bring him up again," Trump said, adding he has also previously brought up Lai's case with China.
Lai's case had sparked global concerns over the national security clampdown in Hong Kong, in part reflecting his prominence as founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper.
Some foreign governments and international rights groups had criticized the impact of the security law in Hong Kong.
Trump also said he would bring up the case of Zion Church founder, Pastor Jin Mingri (金明日), who was arrested late last year.
The crackdown on Zion Church came after new rules from China's top religion regulator banned unauthorized online preaching or religious training by clergy, as well as "foreign collusion."
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