Pastor of China's underground Zion Church released from prison after Trump-Xi meeting

Jin founded the "Church of Zion" in Beijing in 2007; authorities dissolved it eleven years later. Nevertheless, it continues to hold gatherings in numerous cities, as well as worship services via video conference. The Zion Church is one of the largest unregistered house and underground churches in China. Religious activities, however, are strictly monitored. Under Chinese regulations, believers may pray only in registered congregations.

Background: One of the largest raids in decades

In his home country, Jin was detained for nearly nine months. The judiciary accuses him of "illegal use of information networks." The Chinese Constitution guarantees the people of the People's Republic freedom of religion, while at the same time the ruling Communist Party views organized religion as a potential threat to its power. Under Xi Jinping, the authorities have pushed forward the "Sinicization" of religion, demanding loyalty to the Party.

Jin Mingri's release comes amid a phase of diplomatic rapprochement between Washington and Beijing. US President Trump had raised Jin's arrest in May at a meeting with Chinese President and Party chief Xi. Trump told reporters on his flight back from Beijing that Xi had said he would "strongly consider the pastor." According to Jin's family's conviction, the release could not have happened without Xi's direct intervention.

Diplomatic thaw between Washington and Beijing

The family said the release came very quickly and thanked Trump. In a statement, they said: "We hope this is a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations". The White House did not initially respond to a request for comment on the release.

Open cases and uncertain future

Despite the partial success, at least eight members of the Zion Church remain in detention in China, according to ChinaAid. Human rights activists called for the release of all those detained. The case of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai was also discussed at the Trump-Xi meeting. Trump said Xi had described this case as "a tough one." Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February.

Jin's daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, who lives in the United States, testified before a congressional committee in November about her father's fate. At the time, she had not seen her father for six years. Jin himself had moved to the United States with his family in 2018 after the authorities' actions against the Zion Church began, but later returned to China despite the risks.

The release casts a spotlight on the relationship between religious freedom and state control in China. While Beijing officially assures freedom of belief, the government consistently pursues unregistered communities such as the Zion Church. Observers see the move as a possible signal of a cautious opening, while at the same time viewing the ongoing detention cases as evidence of the limits of such gestures.