Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church in China, has been released from detention and reunited with his family in Los Angeles. Jin was among nearly 30 members of Zion Church detained in October during a crackdown on evangelical churches in China, according to the nonprofit group Luke Alliance. His release was reported to be linked to discussions between former President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a state visit in May. Trump had raised Jin's case directly with Xi, who reportedly agreed to consider his release.
Jin's daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, expressed gratitude for the release, attributing it to the intervention of Xi Jinping and thanking Trump for his leadership. The family had been separated for nearly a decade due to the church's closure in 2018. Jin’s case had drawn international attention, with advocacy groups like ChinaAid describing the detentions as politically motivated and calling for the release of all prisoners of faith in China.
While Jin has been released, eight other members of Zion Church remain imprisoned. ChinaAid emphasized the need for continued advocacy for religious freedom in discussions between the U.S. and China.