Archive · 15 Sep 2026
US Commission Urges Trump to Seek Panchen Lama’s Release
A US religious-freedom commission wants President Trump to discuss several prisoners with China’s leader, Xi Jinping.
The discussion could happen at their planned September 24 meeting.
One person on the list is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whom the commission identifies as the Panchen Lama.
Other named people include Jimmy Lai, Gulshan Abbas and Ekpar Asat.
The commission says China released Pastor Ezra Jin in July after Trump asked about his case.
It says eight other Zion Church leaders are still detained.
The commission also wants China to give Pastor John Cao a passport so he can return to his family and receive medical care in the United States.
The commission says raising these cases would show that religious freedom matters to the United States.
USCIRF urged President Donald Trump to raise religious-prisoner cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The appeal concerned the planned September 24 summit between Trump and Xi.
Named detainees included Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Jimmy Lai, Gulshan Abbas and Ekpar Asat.
USCIRF cited Pastor Ezra Jin’s July release and relocation to the United States after Trump’s intervention.
The commission also said eight Zion Church leaders remained detained and sought a passport for Pastor John Cao.
- Who
- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom urged President Donald Trump to raise cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- The commission asked Trump to seek the release of religious and other prisoners and request a passport for Pastor John Cao.
- When
- USCIRF issued its appeal on September 14, ahead of a planned September 24 summit; it said Pastor Ezra Jin was released in July.
- Where
- The appeal concerns prisoners held by Chinese authorities and a planned summit between Trump and Xi.
- Why
- USCIRF says China is persecuting religious believers and should respect religious freedom and international law.
- Appealing body
- United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
- US officials quoted
- Vice Chair CeCe Heil and Chair Asif Mahmood
- Planned summit
- September 24 meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping
- Panchen Lama identified
- Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
- Previously released prisoner
- Pastor Ezra Jin was freed in July and allowed to move to the United States
- Remaining Zion Church detainees
- USCIRF said eight leaders remained detained
- Additional request
- USCIRF asked China to issue Pastor John Cao a passport for family reunification and medical treatment in the United States