VOA Today's Focus (September 17, 2026): Ahead of the "Trump-Xi Summit," US Congress Holds Hearing Calling for Jimmy Lai's Release
This episode of VOA Today's Focus primarily reports on US Treasury Secretary Bessent meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to prepare for a US-China summit, the Federal Reserve announcing its first interest rate hike of 25 basis points in three years, the US Congress holding a hearing focusing on the Jimmy Lai case and the human rights situation in Hong Kong, the US military advancing the deployment of F-15EX fighter jets at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, as well as global hotspot news such as the situation in Yemen and the US Congress advancing Russian sanctions legislation.
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Welcome to VOA Today's Focus for September 17. I am Fan Zongning, broadcasting live from the US capital, Washington. Every day we bring you fifteen minutes to quickly grasp the latest developments in the US and globally. Here is today's headline news.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent will meet with Chinese State Council Vice Premier He Lifeng to finalize economic and trade outcomes for the upcoming US-China summit. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by twenty-five basis points for the first time in three years to cope with inflationary pressures and geopolitical risks, striving to maintain price stability. On the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US, the US Congress held a hearing calling for the release of Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital in Hong Kong.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent confirmed that he will hold talks with Chinese State Council Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend to prepare for the US-China summit scheduled for next Thursday. The two sides will discuss issues such as tariffs, trade, rare earths, artificial intelligence, and sanctions on Iran. Treasury Secretary Bessent and US Trade Representative Greer hosted He Lifeng and the Chinese delegation in New York recently to discuss artificial intelligence competition, China's rare earth export restrictions, and arrangements for the trade and technology truce expiring in November. The two sides may also discuss extending the truce period and further lowering tariffs on certain goods. However, the US side believes that the Chinese side has not yet fully fulfilled its commitments to resume the supply of rare earths and rare earth magnets. In addition, financial and energy ties between Iran and China will also become a focus of discussion. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Washington, D.C., the US capital, on September 24.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve voted unanimously on Wednesday to implement its first interest rate hike in three years, raising the federal funds rate target range by 25 basis points, or a quarter of a percentage point, to between 3.75% and 4%. Most Federal Reserve officials also indicated that they plan to raise rates one more time this year. This interest rate forecast was released after the meeting. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh stated when he took office in May that he would end the situation where the inflation rate remained above the Fed's 2% target for the sixth consecutive year. The Federal Open Market Committee, responsible for setting interest rate policy, stated in its policy statement that raising interest rates will help achieve the 2% inflation target. The statement also pointed out that uncertainties brought about by the geopolitical situation are intensifying.
The US-China summit is coming up next Thursday. Experts analyze that in addition to economics and trade, Iran, and artificial intelligence, human rights issues—especially whether this summit can once again facilitate the release of political prisoners detained by China—will also be a key focus for outside observers. Following President Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, Pastor Jin Mingri of Beijing's Zion Church was released.
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China held a hearing on Wednesday to examine the imprisonment of Hong Kong media entrepreneur and democracy activist Jimmy Lai by China ahead of Xi Jinping's visit to the United States, as well as the imprisonment of numerous democracy activists, former legislators, journalists, and civil society leaders on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law since its implementation in 2020. The hearing focused on what further measures the Trump administration, the U.S. Congress, and the international community can take to facilitate Jimmy Lai's release and hold accountable those officials who violate internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. Those invited to testify included Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation; Steve Yates, Senior Fellow for China and National Security Affairs at the Heritage Foundation; and Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai.
Representative Chris Smith, a Republican and Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, criticized the CCP at the hearing, arguing that if the CCP claims Jimmy Lai's contact with U.S. political figures constitutes collusion with foreign forces, then did President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. to meet with President Trump not also violate the National Security Law? Let us listen to Representative Smith's own words: "This foolish and evil law stipulates that mere contact with foreigners can constitute a violation of the National Security Law, which shows that the law itself is extremely absurd. You know, when the Chinese side negotiates agreements, they can consult day and night, but we are talking about respecting the dignity of their own people. We care about the Chinese people; we hope the Chinese people can prosper and live better lives. We also hope that the Chinese Communist Party realizes the responsibilities they bear. These are internationally recognized human rights, not something we thought up late at night in Congress or the White House. These are internationally recognized human rights. I hope once again that President Xi Jinping can realize that if they can arbitrarily violate the Sino-British Joint Declaration—which, in fact, they have already violated—that was a treaty, a commitment they once made. If they do not fulfill this treaty, why should we expect and believe that the CCP will abide by other agreements we might sign?"
Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, stated at the hearing that he hopes more people will tell President Xi Jinping that letting Jimmy Lai die in prison is not in the CCP's interest, and that Xi Jinping could solve this problem with just one phone call. "Someone asked me if my father has any regrets. He said he has plenty of time to think because the blankets in prison are very thin and he cannot sleep well. He reflected on the past 30 years of his life and realized that even if he could do it all over again, he would not change anything. I want to tell my father that I am incredibly proud of him. Many people have heard his story and learned that there is such a person willing to sacrifice everything he has to defend freedom, and there are many people around the world who believe that freedom is part of human rights. Many people are fighting for his freedom. I believe that as long as enough people tell President Xi Jinping that killing such a person is not in his interest—because this person symbolizes the freedom we love and cherish—it brings hope, meaning that one day he can regain his freedom. Because for Xi Jinping, he only needs to make one phone call, and this 78-year-old man could board a plane and return to his family."
Steve Yates, a former White House official and Senior Fellow for China and National Security at the Heritage Foundation, emphasized at the hearing that he knows there are many issues to be discussed at this U.S.-China summit, but the Jimmy Lai case and the human rights issues behind it reveal the essence of the CCP, which is the root of all other problems between the U.S. and China. "The issues that the summit might touch upon are very broad, and I do not deny that. Having served multiple presidents and vice presidents, I know there are many issues to be discussed at a summit, and the Chinese side has made this list of issues even more complex because China is helping Russia keep its war machine running, making the situation in Iran more difficult, and fentanyl is still flowing into the U.S. We face many problems, so some might ask why choose to talk about human rights? My answer is: why not choose this issue? Because all other avenues have been exhausted. I think we are at a real turning point where we must decide what kind of country and leader we are actually facing, and what we can reasonably expect to gain from engaging with such a country. We have provided China with vast wealth, technology, opportunities, and room for development, to the point where they almost only needed to respond with agreement. They did not take measures to help the Chinese people lift themselves out of poverty; we did that, and they did not even express gratitude, but instead demanded more from us. Today, we have opened up trade, opened up access to American universities, and carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation, but has all this made us safer? And have they become more responsible?"
In addition to human rights issues, Randy Shriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and current Chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, also discussed the Taiwan issues that might be touched upon at the summit and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan in an interview with Voice of America. He stated that the problem between the U.S. and China is not Taiwan, but Beijing's coercion of Taiwan. Let's listen to Shriver's perspective. I would say that Taiwan is merely a disruptive factor; Taiwan is a thriving democracy with impressive economic performance, a projected economic growth rate of 10% next year, and a central position globally in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and exports. Therefore, from the surface-level direct causes and Beijing's narrative, they might portray Taiwan as the source of the problem, but what truly causes problems is China's aggression and coercion, and China's unwillingness to accept the de facto status quo of Taiwan. That is what brings about the problems. I know they remain dissatisfied with the continued relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, including security assistance, even though the $14 billion in arms sales notified to Congress is currently on hold. I also know they dislike the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and certain contents of the DPP's party platform, but the real issue has always been China's unwillingness since 1949 to accept the factual existence of Taiwan, as well as the achievements Taiwan has made in democracy, freedom, and economic performance. So the problem is not Taiwan; the problem is in Beijing.
Located just 600 kilometers from Taiwan, the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Japan is the major U.S. air base closest to Taiwan. The U.S. Air Force plans to permanently station 36 new F-15EX-IN2 fighter jets at the base in the future to replace the retired F-15C/D fighter jets. The U.S. Air Force recently completed live-fire strike tests for the F-15EX, and the first F-15EX designated for deployment to Kadena Air Base rolled off the assembly line at the end of August, marking two important milestones for maintaining stability in the Western Pacific. Let's look at the report by VOA reporter Liu Enming. After the F-15C/D fleet stationed at Kadena Air Base in Japan is fully retired in 2025, the base's regional air defense and deterrence missions currently rely on rotational deployments of F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II squadrons. Kadena Air Base issued a press release stating that the first F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet designated for permanent stationing at Kadena left the Boeing factory in St. Louis at the end of August and flew to the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard for follow-up preparations, marking a significant milestone toward permanent deployment to Japan. Brigadier General John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing of the U.S. Forces Japan, stated in the press release that the wing is ready to welcome the F-15EX. The 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard is the first combat unit to be equipped with the F-15EX-2. The wing conducted its first live-fire projection test at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada from late August to early September, verifying air-to-ground strike effectiveness and achieving a historic milestone. Previously, the F-15EX had completed a series of tests to verify guided munitions and live-fire loading and bombing performance, but this was the first time a frontline combat unit completed such tests, which is expected to accelerate the U.S. military's F-15EX re-equipping pace. The F-15EX is the most advanced Eagle-series fighter in the U.S. Air Force. It is equipped with advanced avionics, has a payload capacity of 29,500 pounds, and can carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles. The U.S. Air Force plans to deploy the F-15EX to Kadena Base in fiscal year 2027 and also plans to expand the F-15EX fleet to 267 aircraft. VOA reporter Liu Enming reporting from Washington.
Saudi Arabia and the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a new round of airstrikes against each other on Wednesday, while frontline fighting remains intense in many Yemeni provinces. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned U.S. citizens not to travel to the Yemeni border due to the threat of terrorism. Recent Houthi rebel offensives in Yemen have led to the occupation of large areas along the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important trade routes. The U.S. has warned the Houthis not to disrupt maritime shipping and urged the group to stop attacks within Yemen and on Saudi territory. On Wednesday, the Saudi-backed Yemeni authorities reported airstrikes against the Houthi rebels. The Houthis, designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, stated on Wednesday that they had launched two new attacks on Saudi Arabia, firing dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi oil facilities and launching ballistic missiles at the Khamis Mushait Air Base.
On the other hand, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Wednesday on a comprehensive bill that would expand sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, extend sanctions on Iran, and grant President Trump new tariff authority. This bill is named after the late Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, and the Senate already passed the bill on August 7 with a vote of 86 to 11. If the House also passes the bill, it will be sent to President Trump to be signed into law. Within 30 days after the bill takes effect, the President will impose asset freezes and visa bans on the Russian President and senior officials. The bill requires the imposition of tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian goods, while also requiring tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, as well as from the five countries most active in helping Russia circumvent oil sanctions. That concludes today's VOA Focus. For more reports, please visit the VOA Chinese website at VOAChinese.com. I am Fan Dongning, thank you for watching, and we will see you tomorrow.