Jimmy Lai’s son makes emotional plea for his release ahead of Xi Jinping’s Washington visit

Sebastien Lai, the son of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, pleaded for his father's release in a hearing before the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, is set to visit Washington next month. Sebastien emphasized that his father poses no threat and his imprisonment is a symbol of injustice.

Lai's sentence of 20 years in prison in February for alleged foreign collusion and seditious publication has drawn international condemnation. Xi is also expected to meet with Donald Trump at the White House on September 24. Trump stated in May that he discussed Jimmy Lai's case with Xi, but a release seems unlikely. However, China did release Ezra Jin, the founder of an underground church, after Trump raised his case with Xi.

Ziba Murat, whose mother has been detained for eight years on terrorism charges, hopes for similar progress. She believes that her aunt's human rights activism in America may be linked to her mother's detention. Murat urged Trump to address her mother's case, pointing out that Chinese authorities can pressure foreign governments through threats to family members of Americans.