Lawmakers Call for Action on Detained Americans
A group of prominent US Republican lawmakers has formally urged President Donald Trump to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping over the detention of American citizens and the imposition of exit bans in China. The appeal was made in a letter released on Thursday, October 23 or 24, 2025, just days before an expected high-stakes meeting between the two leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea on October 30.
The lawmakers involved are Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, and Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan. Senator Sullivan and Representative Smith serve as the Chair and Co-chair, respectively, of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), while Representative Moolenaar chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Specific Cases Highlighted
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted several cases of concern. They specifically mentioned Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells, two American citizens currently imprisoned in China on drug trafficking charges. Additionally, they drew attention to exit bans affecting a US Commerce Department employee and the US-citizen son of dissident Chinese artist Gao Zhen.
The letter also brought forward the cases of Chinese citizens with US-based relatives who are involved in human rights advocacy. These include Gulshan Abbas, a retired Uygur doctor; Ezra Jin Mingri, a pastor of the unregistered Zion Church; and Ekpar Asat, a founder of a Uygur-language website.
'World's Largest Hostage-Taker' Accusation
The Republican lawmakers did not mince words in their assessment of China's practices. They characterized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the 'world's largest hostage-taker,' asserting that it 'uses detentions and exit bans to punish and censor Americans, gain leverage over US businesses, and pressure changes in US policy – disproportionately targeting Chinese-American and Uygur-American communities.'
This strong language underscores the growing concern among some US officials regarding China's human rights record and its use of legal and administrative measures against foreign nationals and ethnic minorities.
Broader Context and Proposed Measures
The lawmakers' push comes amidst ongoing concerns about Americans in China. The Dui Hua Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization, reported that over 200 Americans were 'under coercive measures' in China as of October 2025. Earlier this year, Wells Fargo executive Mao Chenyue was permitted to leave China after an exit ban, following pressure from Washington.
To address these issues, the lawmakers suggested that President Trump could utilize Executive Orders 14348 and 14078. These orders aim to 'ensure accountability for those responsible for unjust detentions, mistreatment, and exit-ban practices.' The upcoming meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit is seen as a critical opportunity to raise these concerns directly.
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