DURBIN CALLS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PUSH FOR RELEASE OF CHINESE POLITICAL PRISONERS DURING MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT XI JINPING THIS WEEK

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- Sen. Dick Durbin issued the following press release:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor advocating for the release of several Chinese political prisoners ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States this week. Specifically, Durbin called for the release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas, who was reportedly imprisoned as retaliation for her family's public criticism of the Chinese government's treatment of Uyghurs; Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai; Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, who were imprisoned for serving as church leaders; and Ekpar Asat, a Uyghur entrepreneur.

Beginning his remarks, Durbin noted the tension between the U.S. and Chin...