US President Donald Trump said he will raise Taiwan, U.S. arms sales and the case of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai when he meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. [1, 2, 3]
Trump told reporters he would bring up Taiwan, saying, "He’ll bring up Taiwan, I think, more than I will," and added, "I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi." He also said U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would be part of the talks. [1, 3]
He said he would also press Xi on Lai, a 78-year-old Hong Kong businessman, media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily. Trump said, "People would like him out. And I’d like to see him get out too," and added, "So, I’ll bring him up again." [2, 3, 4]
Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February under Hong Kong's National Security Law, according to the sources. [2, 4]
The summit is expected to cover a wider agenda that includes trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, Iran and rare earth export controls. Taiwan's lawmakers have approved a $25 billion special defense budget, while the government had requested $40 billion. Washington also authorized a record $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December. [2, 3]
Trump first said on May 11 that he would bring up Lai's case and discuss Taiwan during the meeting with Xi, and repeated on May 12 that Taiwan arms sales and Lai would be on his agenda. The Beijing summit is scheduled for Thursday and Friday. [2, 3, 1]
