<span class ="kicker">VOA Mandarin Service article on Smith's H.Res.1259</span>'On the Eve of the U.S.-China Summit, Both Houses of Congress Unanimously Pass Resolution Urging China to Release Political Prisoners'

This press release from Representative Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) was published on 2026-05-14 and titled "<span class ="kicker">VOA Mandarin Service article on Smith's H.Res.1259</span>'On the Eve of the U.S.-China".

<span class ="kicker">VOA Mandarin Service article on Smith's H.Res.1259</span>'On the Eve of the U.S.-China Summit, Both Houses of Congress Unanimously Pass Resolution Urging China to Release Political Prisoners'

By Li Yihua Published May 14, 2026 at 7:27 Capitol Hill — On Wednesday (May 13), both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate successively passed resolutions by unanimous consent, calling upon the U.S. President—in his future engagements with Chinese leaders—to prioritize efforts to secure the release of numerous political prisoners and religious figures, including Jimmy Lai and Pastor Jin Mingri. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on the same day and is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives passed the resolution by a vote of 414 to 0. The measure urges the President, in his future meetings with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, to prioritize advocating for the release of individuals currently detained in China, including Pastor Jin Mingri (Senior Pastor of Zion Church), Pastor Gao Quanfu of Zion’s Light Church and his wife Pang Yu, Uyghur physician Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong’s Next Digital. The Senate also passed an identical resolution by unanimous consent later on Wednesday evening. The U.S. House of Representatives passed Resolution H. Res. 1259, calling upon the President to prioritize advocating for the release of numerous political prisoners and religious figures—including Jimmy Lai and Pastor Jin Mingri—during meetings with Chinese leaders. (May 13, 2026) The House version of the resolution was introduced by Republican Congressman Chris Smith—a long-time advocate for human rights issues in China—and garnered strong bipartisan support from lawmakers. "House Resolution 1259 addresses precisely these individuals who are being unjustly detained," Congressman Smith, who represents New Jersey, stated during a floor speech on Wednesday morning. Smith continued: "I would like to remind my colleagues that I have served in Congress for 46 years, and throughout that time, I have consistently worked to champion the cause of political prisoners around the world—dating back to the Soviet era. We have consistently found that when the United States calls out political prisoners by name, it is an effective strategy. President Reagan frequently did this during his tenure, as did his Secretary of State, George Shultz; by publicly naming specific individuals, they helped ensure that many of those receiving such solidarity were ultimately released. This approach also helps secure access for lawyers, family members, and medical visits—and can even save lives. Moreover, it truly does help bring about their release." During his floor remarks, Congressman Smith urged President Trump—who is currently visiting Beijing—to raise the issue of political prisoners in China, along with other human rights concerns, during his talks with President Xi Jinping. “This is important. It is important to their families; it is important to every prisoner confined in a cell for daring to pray, publish, speak out, worship, or advocate for fundamental human rights and freedoms,” Smith said. “It is also important to the Chinese Communist Party, because when the President of the United States calls them out by name, autocrats listen.” “Silence is not an option. Silence tells the jailers that no one is watching. Silence tells the prisoners that the world has moved on and no longer cares. Silence tells Beijing that hostage diplomacy, coercive exit bans, and transnational repression can be normalized. None of this can be normalized. We will not remain silent, and we pray and hope that the President will succeed.” The resolution states that the House of Representatives believes that, in his future meetings with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, the President should prioritize advocating for the release of those detained in China—specifically Pastor Jin Mingri, Senior Pastor of Zion Church; Pastor Gao Quanfu of Zion’s Light Church and his wife, Pang Yu; Uyghur physician Gulshan Abbas; and Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong’s Next Digital. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), one of the sponsors of the Senate version of the resolution, stated in a written statement: “The Chinese Communist Party is an authoritarian regime that imprisons dissidents, suppresses religious believers, and violates fundamental freedoms. By passing this bipartisan resolution, the Senate signals that the United States will continue to strive for the release of those unjustly detained and hold the CCP accountable for these detentions.” Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Democratic Whip who co-sponsored the resolution with Senator Cruz, also stated: “No one should have to fear for their safety or face political imprisonment for standing up for democracy and freedom.” “Now that this resolution has passed the Senate, I urge President Trump to raise these cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China,” said Senator Durbin of Illinois. On October 10, 2025, Pastor Jin Mingri of Zion Church—along with 17 other pastors