A Pastor’s Release Marks a Shift in U.S.-China Religious Relations
Less than two months after President Donald Trump made a public appeal to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ezra Jin Mingli, the founder of Beijing’s Zion Church, has been released from a Chinese prison and has arrived in the United States.
Jin was detained in October of last year along with 17 other leaders from his church in a significant crackdown on religious groups by the Chinese government.
ChinaAid, an organization based in the U.S. that monitors religious persecution in China, confirmed on Saturday that Jin had arrived in Los Angeles following his release.
The international spotlight turned to Jin’s detention in May when President Trump revealed that he had discussed the pastor’s imprisonment with Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing. He also brought up Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai, urging the Chinese leader to reconsider both cases.
Trump expressed optimism regarding Jin’s situation, saying, “I think he’s taking the pastor very seriously,” although he noted that Lai’s case posed more complications. Lai, the founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been sentenced to 20 years for charges related to collusion with foreign forces.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation from Western governments and human rights advocates who argue that the Chinese government uses national security laws to suppress dissent and curb religious freedom.
In a statement, Jin’s family expressed gratitude for the swift action that led to his release, crediting the Trump administration’s “great leadership” and suggesting that Xi Jinping’s direct intervention was crucial for his return. “We hope this is a sign of a positive direction for those who believe in China and bilateral relations,” they added.
Although Jin’s release provides much-needed relief for his family and supporters, human rights activists caution that many members of Zion Church remain imprisoned. Brian Tronick, director of the Political Prisoners Program at Freedom House, emphasized the need to remember those still facing severe legal challenges.
Bob Hu, founder and chairman of ChinaAid, thanked President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials for their roles in securing Jin’s release, while urging the U.S. government to prioritize religious freedom and advocate for the release of all individuals imprisoned for their beliefs in future negotiations with China.
The Congressional Alliance on China, which had called for Jin’s release, expressed happiness over the outcome, thanking the diplomats involved for their efforts to achieve what many thought was impossible.
Founded in 2007, Zion Church started with approximately 20 members and grew into one of China’s largest independent Protestant congregations, operating outside of the government-registered system. The officially atheist Communist Party has historically viewed independent religious groups as a threat, leading to increased crackdowns, including the banning of Jin’s church in 2018.
As a result, many affiliated congregations have transitioned into underground facilities, affected by an intensifying government campaign to tighten control over religious practices. In a poignant testimony before a U.S. Congressional committee, Jin’s daughter, Grace Zinn Drexel, noted, “My father, like many faithful Christians around the world, started Zion to worship freely in a church where God is the only head of the church.”
After the initial targeting of Zion Church, Jin moved his family to the U.S. seeking safety but later chose to return to China, despite the risks involved.
