China Frees Pastor Ezra Jin After Trump's Intervention, Daughter Confirms
China has released Ezra Jin, the founder of an underground church, who had been detained since October 2024 on suspicion of using an illegal information network. The release was confirmed by his family on Sunday.
Jin, who also goes by the Chinese name Mingri, is the founder of Zion Church, one of the unregistered churches chosen by some Christians in China as an alternative to state-approved and government-regulated places of worship. He was detained alongside other church members on 10 October 2024.
US President Donald Trump raised his case during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. Trump later stated that the Chinese president would “seriously consider” releasing him. On Saturday, the human rights group ChinaAid reported that Jin had arrived in Los Angeles following his release from detention in China.
Jin was reportedly told by Chinese officials that his release was a result of discussions between President Trump and President Xi, and was presented as a goodwill gesture coinciding with US Independence Day. “We are grateful to God for this incredible miracle,” said Jin’s daughter, Grace, in a statement shared with AFP. “We hope this signals a positive change for believers in China and for relations between our two countries.”
China’s ruling Communist Party has historically viewed organised religion with suspicion. Under Xi Jinping, oversight of unofficial religious groups has intensified. In recent months, authorities have cracked down on unregistered churches. In June, a service at the Early Rain Covenant Church in southwestern Sichuan province was raided, and two of its leaders were detained. This followed the detention of several prominent Early Rain members in January. In the same week, scaffolding was erected around the Yayang Church in eastern Zhejiang province and its cross was removed, as witnessed by AFP journalists. According to the church, eight members of Zion Church detained in October remain in custody.