Advocacy for American Detainees in China

Grace Jin Drexel spent seven months pushing for her father’s release from a Chinese prison. Her friend suggested her phone was likely receiving many messages following President Trump’s remark that he would raise the issue of Ezra Jin during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October. Ezra Jin, leader of the Zion Church in China, was arrested last October. Drexel expressed her eagerness upon hearing this news, holding her two-month-old son Ezra, named after her father.

Drexel’s public gratitude towards Trump during a Fox News interview helped advance efforts for her father’s release. In July, after Trump discussed the matter with Xi in Beijing, Jin was released. This instance highlighted the method of appealing to Trump: directly raising an issue with him, reinforcing it via Fox News, and demonstrating potential benefits.

With another Trump-Xi summit approaching on September 24 in Washington, Drexel calls for advocacy for the release of eight other Zion Church leaders detained in China over religious freedom. A White House official noted Trump’s concern about Americans detained abroad and confirmed his commitment to global religious freedom, recalling Trump’s direct discussion of Pastor Jin’s case with Xi Jinping.

Whether this approach will work again is uncertain. Both leaders aim to improve relations between their countries, focusing on trade policy and other global issues. Trump told China it risks U.S. sanctions if it maintains financial ties with Iran. Despite these challenges, Drexel appreciates Trump’s intervention and believes the U.S. can amplify voices for justice.

Trump’s involvement in Jin’s release was noteworthy. He had also raised the case of Youlin Chen, a Chinese-born American seismologist who has been detained since 2024. Despite Chen’s situation being labeled as “wrongfully detained” and the ensuing advocacy, he remains in detention. Trump’s administration later publicized Chen’s case in hopes of increasing pressure on Xi.

Meanwhile, Min Zin, an American academic, was arrested in June in China. Families of other detainees note Trump’s role in Jin’s release as an effective method. Rayhan Asat’s brother, Ekpar, vanished in Xinjiang after visiting Washington, D.C. Asat, a Uyghur human rights lawyer, advocates for his release, expressing optimism linked to Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

Others have familial connections to Americans. Dr. Gulshan Abbas disappeared in Urumqi after her sister advocated for Uyghur rights in Washington. Families of detainees face pressure and harassment, such as Drexel experiencing surveillance and threats. Drexel resigned from her Capitol Hill job to focus on advocacy, recognizing the pressure of challenging a state’s apparatus.

Trump’s positive relationship with Xi is seen as beneficial. Sarah Makin highlights this in efforts to address multiple detainee cases. Advocates work to influence those advising Trump to recognize how the CCP uses detentions against Americans.

If Xi ignores U.S. demands, Trump might increase pressure through measures like raising travel advisory levels against China or labeling China a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, a stance recently opposed by China. This designation ensures detained citizens’ cases remain priority in diplomatic engagements.

Eric Lebson, Global Reach’s chief strategy officer, suggests many positive outcomes might arise from resolving wrongful detentions. Such resolutions would demonstrate goodwill and align with Trump’s focus on returning detained Americans.