Roger F. Wicker, MS
Linked statement
“The president should not have invited China's leader to Washington for a fancy visit. Since he is coming, the president must confront him. He should ask about China helping Iran kill American troops, locking up millions of religious minorities, and bullying neighbors like Taiwan and the Philippines. He should demand the release of political prisoners. China's leader is a dictator with weapons pointed at us, and our president must treat him that way.”
“Mr. President, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in town tomorrow for a highly anticipated state visit. Quite frankly, had the White House asked me for advice, I would have suggested the President not invite Xi Jinping to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States of America based on all of the troubling issues we have with President Xi and the Chinese Communist Party. But in light of the fact that the Chinese Communist President is coming to the United States, I want to take a moment to suggest a list of topics that the President might mention during the summit. As we know, a proper state visit requires a proper state dinner. Again, I would not have scheduled such a thing. But as guests converse over the meal, the President might inquire about the purposes of China’s massive military buildup or about China’s clear support for Iran. This summer, it was all over the press that China gave Iran satellite imagery intelligence, and that intelligence led to the death of American troops. So I would certainly suggest that the President try to get an answer to that. While President Trump and President Xi are talking, perhaps Mr. Trump could bring up the Uighur people. For nearly a decade, Xi Jinping has consigned more than a million Uighurs to concentration camps in China’s Xinjiang region. I hope our President will take this visit as an opportunity to advocate for the Uighur people. The fact that they remain in prison by the millions is a grave injustice and a reminder of Xi Jinping’s many human rights abuses. Then, after asking about the Uighur people, the President should mention China’s persecution of all manner of religious groups, to include Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, and those practicing Falun Gong. In July, President Trump successfully advocated for the release of Pastor Ezra Jin. Why not suggest releasing all imprisoned Christians and allowing all people of whatever faith to worship freely? Then President Trump might ask why China openly coerces Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The Chinese dictator works hard to intimidate America’s allies in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Second Thomas Shoal. China also bullies, jails, and otherwise silences dissidents. When meeting with Xi in May, President Trump advocated for Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong newspaper publisher Xi has kept locked up in solitary confinement. Why has Mr. Lai been locked up? His crime was speaking freely in Hong Kong. I hope Mr. Trump will again ask for the release of the frail, elderly Mr. Lai and all those imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong and elsewhere. Perhaps over the salad course of the dinner, our President could ask Xi Jinping about the Chinese navy’s harassment of Filipino fishermen and sailors and about China’s abuse of its neighbors. Perhaps he could ask Mr. Xi why he invents military disputes and then resolves them by military force--or attempts to resolve them. Then I hope the President will inquire about Xi Jinping’s interference in the internal affairs of nations around the world. Perhaps he could bring up Chinese exploitation of African countries and Latin American nations with debt-trap diplomacy and election meddling. While the servers are switching from chardonnay to cabernet at the fancy state dinner, perhaps the President could turn to Xi’s so-called reunification of China with Taiwan, his wish that Taiwan become a part of mainland China. In the strong Chinese leader’s view of the future, should the freely elected Government of Taiwan expect the same treatment that the people of Hong Kong have experienced--the loss of their freedom that the world has seen over the past three decades since reunification with Hong Kong. I know the President intends to discuss trade and artificial intelligence with the Chinese leadership--and rightfully so. Perhaps some progress will be made. But, Mr. President, during every minute of dialogue, our Commander in Chief should keep in mind that his guest is a brutal, unelected, and oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly at the United States of America. I yield the floor.”
Mr. President, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in town tomorrow for a highly anticipated state visit. Quite frankly, had the White House asked me for advice, I would have suggested the President not invite Xi Jinping to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States of America based on all of the troubling issues we have with President Xi and the Chinese Communist Party. But in light of the fact that the Chinese Communist President is coming to the United States, I want to take a moment to suggest a list of topics that the President might mention during the summit. As we know, a proper state visit requires a proper state dinner. Again, I would not have scheduled such a thing. But as guests converse over the meal, the President might inquire about the purposes of China’s massive military buildup or about China’s clear support for Iran. This summer, it was all over the press that China gave Iran satellite imagery intelligence, and that intelligence led to the death of American troops. So I would certainly suggest that the President try to get an answer to that. While President Trump and President Xi are talking, perhaps Mr. Trump could bring up the Uighur people. For nearly a decade, Xi Jinping has consigned more than a million Uighurs to concentration camps in China’s Xinjiang region. I hope our President will take this visit as an opportunity to advocate for the Uighur people. The fact that they remain in prison by the millions is a grave injustice and a reminder of Xi Jinping’s many human rights abuses. Then, after asking about the Uighur people, the President should mention China’s persecution of all manner of religious groups, to include Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, and those practicing Falun Gong. In July, President Trump successfully advocated for the release of Pastor Ezra Jin. Why not suggest releasing all imprisoned Christians and allowing all people of whatever faith to worship freely? Then President Trump might ask why China openly coerces Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The Chinese dictator works hard to intimidate America’s allies in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Second Thomas Shoal. China also bullies, jails, and otherwise silences dissidents. When meeting with Xi in May, President Trump advocated for Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong newspaper publisher Xi has kept locked up in solitary confinement. Why has Mr. Lai been locked up? His crime was speaking freely in Hong Kong. I hope Mr. Trump will again ask for the release of the frail, elderly Mr. Lai and all those imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong and elsewhere. Perhaps over the salad course of the dinner, our President could ask Xi Jinping about the Chinese navy’s harassment of Filipino fishermen and sailors and about China’s abuse of its neighbors. Perhaps he could ask Mr. Xi why he invents military disputes and then resolves them by military force--or attempts to resolve them. Then I hope the President will inquire about Xi Jinping’s interference in the internal affairs of nations around the world. Perhaps he could bring up Chinese exploitation of African countries and Latin American nations with debt-trap diplomacy and election meddling. While the servers are switching from chardonnay to cabernet at the fancy state dinner, perhaps the President could turn to Xi’s so-called reunification of China with Taiwan, his wish that Taiwan become a part of mainland China. In the strong Chinese leader’s view of the future, should the freely elected Government of Taiwan expect the same treatment that the people of Hong Kong have experienced--the loss of their freedom that the world has seen over the past three decades since reunification with Hong Kong. I know the President intends to discuss trade and artificial intelligence with the Chinese leadership--and rightfully so. Perhaps some progress will be made. But, Mr. President, during every minute of dialogue, our Commander in Chief should keep in mind that his guest is a brutal, unelected, and oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly at the United States of America. I yield the floor.