President Donald Trump has offered China "any arrangement" to secure the freedom of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Trump to raise Lai's case with Xi
Ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump confirmed he would raise Lai's imprisonment in Hong Kong and the arrest of Pastor Jin Mingri of Zion Church. Rubio stated that Trump is "open to any arrangement" to bring about Lai's release.
Background on Jimmy Lai
Jimmy Lai, 78, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February on disputed collusion and sedition charges. Reports indicate he has been kept in solitary confinement. Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, expressed hope that Trump, whom he described as an "incredible negotiator," would successfully press for his father's release.
Pastor Jin Mingri's detention
Pastor Jin Mingri was detained in October last year along with other church leaders. He may face charges related to "illegal dissemination of religious content" via the internet. Trump is expected to discuss this case as well during his meeting with Xi.
The developments come amid heightened tensions between the US and China over human rights issues and trade policies.
