President Trump’s historic visit to China this week to meet with Xi Jinping has featured colorful pomp and pageantry, including red carpets, brass bands, even cheering and smiling children waving flags.
At a banquet inside China’s Great Hall of the People, the summit also included warm and friendly toasts between the leaders.
“Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,” said Xi Jinping.
Having brought along more than a dozen top American CEOs and other corporate executives, Mr. Trump emphasized the longstanding business ties between the nations.
“This bond of commerce and respect stretches back 250 years as the foundation of a future that benefits both our nations,” he said. The president then prepared to raise his glass and concluded: “To the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people – it’s a very special relationship and I want to thank you again.”
By “special,” President Trump is undoubtedly referring to America and China’s economic interdependence. Representing the world’s two largest economies, the United States utilizes and regularly relies on Chinese manufacturers, and the Middle Kingdom sells to American markets and heavily depends on our dollars.
Politically and spiritually speaking, though, the two nations are worlds apart.
While America is a constitutional republic with multiple parties and free elections, China is a one-party socialist republic governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
While Americans enjoy broad religious freedoms, any religious expression in China is heavily regulated and controlled by the state and the CCP. In simple terms, China isn’t shy about arresting people who don’t comply with their onerous rules regarding faith expression, which includes being in a state-controlled registered church.
Back in 2000, a bipartisan United States government commission created what’s called the “Congressional-Executive Commission on China” (CECC) to monitor and keep track of human rights violations in the country. As you can imagine, it’s challenging to maintain these records due to the extreme level of secrecy within communist China. But according to the most recent data, upwards of 3,000 individuals are being held for expressing their basic human rights.
One such individual is Jimmy Lai, a devout believer in Jesus Christ and a firm defender of democracy — a toxic combination for Communist China.
Mr. Lai was born in China, escaped to Hong Kong and started a clothing store that eventually prospered. He then took those proceeds and launched several pro-democracy newspapers and magazines.
Jimmy was eventually arrested in August of 2020 under China’s “National Security Law” — legislation intended to root out pro-democracy agitators and anyone whose behavior was deemed subversive.
Pastor Wang Yi is another Christian on the list. He was arrested for “inciting subversion of state power” at the Early Rain Covenant Church. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.
It’s not clear if President Trump or anyone within the United States delegation has or plans to bring up the plights of either Lai or Wang or the many other Christians being held in Chinese prisons – but we pray they will do so. When asked about Jimmy Lai in a previous interview, President Trump said, “I’m going to do everything I can to save him. We’ll see what we can do.”
Amidst the various pressing issues on the table in China – from the Iran war to Taiwan to companies eager to make trade deals – it’s easy to see why the plight of religious prisoners may not be capturing headlines.
Thankfully, we know the Lord is aware of those believers in China who are being held hostage because of their faith and unwillingness to bend a knee to the CCP. In fact, we also know Jesus anticipated oppression and situations like this would happen. That’s why He said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10, ESV).
We pray for Jimmy Lai, Pastor Yi, and all the Christians being persecuted. We also pray for the boldness of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that they would find an opening to appeal for greater religious freedom and the release of those currently being held hostage because of their Christian faith.