China's Calculated Mercy: What the Pastor's Release Reveals About Xi's Diplomacy The release of an underground pastor from prison in China has sparked hope among human rights advocates and raised questions about Chinese leader Xi Jinping's motivations behind his apparent clemency.
The pastor, detained in October, was one of several high profile cases of persecution brought up during the Trump Xi summit. Xi's willingness to grant mercy to a Christian dissident just weeks after meeting with U. S.
President Donald Trump suggests a carefully crafted public relations move. This development is part of a larger diplomatic game played by global powers, where both sides use high profile releases to flex their muscles.