Hong Kong — Ezra Jin, founder of one of China’s most prominent underground churches, has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States, ending months of detention that drew international attention.
Jin, who founded Beijing’s Zion Church, was among dozens of church members swept up in a crackdown by Chinese authorities late last year as Beijing intensified its campaign against unregistered religious groups.
China permits religious worship only under strict government oversight through state-approved churches, while independent congregations often face surveillance, harassment and prosecution.
According to Jin’s daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, the pastor’s release followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing in May.
“We are feeling so overwhelmed with joy. We thank God for this tremendous miracle,” Drexel said in a statement, expressing gratitude to both the Trump administration and Chinese leader Xi Jinping for their roles in securing her father’s release.
She added that the family hopes Jin’s freedom will mark a positive step for religious liberty in China and improve relations between Beijing and Washington.
Jin established Zion Church in Beijing in 2007. As pressure on unregistered churches intensified in 2018, he relocated with his family to the United States in the hope of easing tensions with Chinese authorities. However, he later returned to China to support members of his congregation who continued to face government harassment.
Authorities subsequently prevented him from leaving the country before he was detained during the latest crackdown.
Human rights advocates welcomed Jin’s release but stressed that many members and leaders of Zion Church remain behind bars.
Brian Tronic, director of Freedom House’s Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners, called Jin’s release encouraging but urged both the US and Chinese governments to continue efforts to secure the freedom of other detained church members and individuals facing criminal charges linked to the congregation.
CNN reported that it has sought comments from China’s Foreign Ministry, the White House and the US State Department on the development.
Credit:CNN
