China releases Christian pastor Ezra Jin after U.S. pressure

Ezra Jin Zion Church religious freedom China‑US relations prisoner release

Chinese authorities freed Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of the underground Zion Church, on July 3 after 266 days of detention. Jin, arrested in October 2025 during a nationwide crackdown on unregistered churches, was released following U.S. President Donald Trump's appeal to Chinese President Xi Jinping at a May 2026 summit in Beijing. He traveled to Los Angeles where he was reunited with his wife and daughter.

Human‑rights groups welcomed the release but urged China to free the remaining detained Zion Church leaders and members, noting that at least eight remain in custody. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about religious freedom in China and the impact of diplomatic engagement on individual prisoners of conscience.

Sources

Un „miracol”: Partidul Comunist Chinez îl eliberează pe pastorul Ezra Jin [crestintotal.ro]

22 days ago

Franklin Graham Applauds Trump Administration's Pressure On China, Securing Release Of Jailed Pastor - Harbinger's Daily [harbingersdaily.com]

21 days ago

23 days ago

Ezra Jin Mingri, Chinese prisoner of conscience, released to US - Catholic Review [catholicreview.org]

23 days ago

China libera al pastor Ezra Jin tras gestiones de Trump ante Xi Jinping [www.gacetacristiana.com.ar]

22 days ago

VOC Welcomes the Release of Pastor Jin “Ezra” Mingri [victimsofcommunism.org]

22 days ago

‘Miracle’: China releases Christian pastor following Trump’s appeal * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh [www.wnd.com]

23 days ago