On September 30, U.S. President Trump confirmed during a Q&A with reporters that the release of political prisoners was discussed during his meeting with Xi Jinping at the White House on September 24, involving the wrongfully detained U.S.-based Myanmar scholar Myint Zin and Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, saying very important discussions were held and he hoped for results.
On September 22, UK Prime Minister Burnham met with Trump in New York, demanding the immediate release of Jimmy Lai and asking if Trump could raise the case during his talks with Xi Jinping.
On September 22, the UK representative at the UN Human Rights Council called for the repeal of Hong Kong's National Security Law and the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai, who has been sentenced.
On September 17, the European Parliament passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority condemning the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance for causing the collapse of freedom, calling on the EU to sanction relevant officials, and demanding the release of political prisoners including Jimmy Lai, Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Wong Ji-yuet.
On the eve of Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S., the Congressional-Executive Commission on China held a hearing on Wednesday to examine the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai and the detention of pro-democracy activists since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Jimmy Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, and several experts testified, calling for efforts to secure Jimmy Lai's release.
On September 17, representatives of multiple religious groups held an event at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, urging Trump to raise the issue of religious freedom in China at the Trump-Xi summit and calling for the release of people imprisoned for their faith as well as Hong Kong media figure Jimmy Lai. Pastor Kim Myeong-il, who was freed, and others attended and recounted their experiences.
When former US President Trump visited Beijing, he personally requested that Xi Jinping release Jimmy Lai, but did not receive a positive response.