FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — September 14, 2026
WASHINGTON — The Free China Movement today launched a public petition urging Xi Jinping and the Government of the People’s Republic of China to honor commitments made to Hong Kong, restore protected freedoms and release Jimmy Lai and others imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising internationally recognized rights.
The campaign comes ahead of Xi’s anticipated September 24 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Reuters reported on September 10 that Trump had said Xi would visit Washington on that date, although Beijing had not publicly confirmed all details.
Petition demands
The petition calls on the PRC government to honor the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law; restore freedoms of expression, press, assembly, association, religion and political participation; release Jimmy Lai and other peaceful rights prisoners; end politically motivated prosecutions and transnational intimidation; protect judicial independence and due process; and permit genuine civil society and independent journalism.
Accountability, not threats
The Free China Movement stresses that the campaign seeks peaceful and lawful consequences for continued violations: diplomatic pressure, public scrutiny, targeted accountability where legally justified, and greater attention to the risks created when a government does not honor international commitments.
“A powerful country should not fear free speech. A credible country keeps its word.”
Media contact: Free China Movement · contact@freechina.live · Press contact page
Sources: Hong Kong Basic Law, Chapter III · UK Government: Sino-British Joint Declaration · Reuters, Sept. 10, 2026