Freeing Political Prisoners Should Be A Priority At Trump-Xi Summit

BusinessPolicyFreeing Political Prisoners Should Be A Priority At Trump-Xi SummitByOlivia Enos,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about international human rights and national security.Follow AuthorMay 13, 2026, 10:47pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Ziba Murat, daughter of detained Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, stands beside Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after the State of the Union in 2026.Ziba MuratFor over seven years, Ziba Murat has been waiting for news that her mother Gulshan Abbas, a peaceful Uyghur doctor unjustly detained by the CCP, would be released. Seven birthdays have passed. Seven-almost-eight anniversaries of her detention have gone by. And most recently, her eighth Mother’s Day took place with no word from China on when her innocent mother would be returned to her family in America. The more years that go by, the harder it is to hope for her safe return.So when Murat received an invitation from the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, to attend this year’s State of the Union address, she felt optimism that with the right people raising their voices, she might see her mother again. This week, as President Trump is in Beijing, Murat – like so many other American citizens separated from their loved ones across China – hopes that this time, her dear mother will be released and returned safely home where she belongs. Over the past week, President Trump has indicated his intent to raise the cases of other unjustly detained political prisoners across China with Xi Jinping, including famous Hong Konger, Jimmy Lai, and Christian pastor, Ezra Jin Mingri. Signals like these indicate that Washington and Beijing intend to discuss more than just trade and economic issues while President Trump and Xi Jinping meet.But it’s not just the President’s words that offer encouragement. Today, the U.S. Senate and House of Repr...