The Upcoming U.S.-China Summit Cannot Ignore Victims of China’s Religious Freedom Repression

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges President Donald J. Trump to advocate for greater religious freedom for the people of China.  During his state visit to China, reportedly planned for May 14-15, President Trump should insist on the release of prisoners detained for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).

“The U.S. government has long demonstrated its commitment to advancing religious freedom in China, including the determination of the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide of Uyghurs as well as public advocacy for prisoners such as Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Pastor Ezra Jin, and Jimmy Lai,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “President Trump has a unique opportunity to boldly and directly enjoin Chinese President Xi Jinping to turn the tide of religious repression in China by releasing freedom of religion or belief prisoners.”

Since President Trump’s last presidential state visit to Beijing in 2017, the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, has executed a coercive and far-reaching “sinicization of religion” policy—with a particularly destructive impact on ethno-religious minorities and Christian house churches.

“Under Xi Jinping, religious freedom has worsened to a horrific degree,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “We commend the U.S. Congress for its tireless advocacy on behalf of freedom of religion or belief victims through bipartisan legislation, resolutions, hearings, and other forms of engagement. We also encourage President Trump, while in Beijing, to drive home the message that his Administration cannot tolerate the ongoing mass repression of China’s beleaguered religious communities.” 

USCIRF recommended in its 2026 Annual Report that the U.S. Department of State redesignate China as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. USCIRF raised China’s abysmal religious freedom conditions during its “FoRB Violations Against Christians Abroad” hearing in January 2026 and its “State-Controlled Religion in China” hearing in October 2025. 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

Despite Promoting Religious Tolerance, Egypt Represses Religious Life for Many

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Egypt:  

State Restrictions on Religious Freedom in Egypt – The government of Egypt continues to systematically enforce laws, policies, and judicial decisions that repress non-Muslim religious life, including for Baha’is, Coptic Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Qur’anists, members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, and also non-believers. Amid these ongoing FoRB concerns, Egypt’s government continues to support initiatives that selectively promote religious diversity and tolerance. While this reflects some progress, the Egyptian government has yet to bring the country into full compliance with its FoRB obligations under international law.

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Egypt as a “Special Watch List,” or SWL, country for engaging in systematic and ongoing violations of religious freedom.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

Alongside advocacy efforts, targeted programming is a tool certain governments and intergovernmental agencies use to strengthen religious freedom. There have been several key programs that have advanced international religious freedom in Asia, including the now terminated USAID’s Asia Religious and Ethnic Freedom (REF) program and the United Nation’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM).

On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight podcast, Chair Vicky Hartzler speaks with Nolen Deibert, former Chief of Party of the USAID-funded Asia Religious and Ethnic Freedom (REF), as well as Nicholas Koumjian, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). They focus their discussion on the benefits of programming that advances religious freedom, particularly in Asia.