China has released Ezra Jin Mingri, the founder of the underground Zion Church in Beijing, following a high-profile diplomatic appeal [1].

The release highlights the precarious status of religious groups operating outside state-sanctioned channels in China. While Jin is free, the broader crackdown on unregistered Christian worship continues to impact thousands of believers across the country.

Jin was detained in October 2025 [2] as part of a sweeping campaign against religious organizations that refuse to register with the government. This effort has resulted in the destruction of many church premises and what has been described as the largest arrest of Christians in China in decades [3].

The release occurred in July 2026 [4]. The timing follows a direct plea from U.S. President Donald Trump to Xi Jinping in May 2026 [5].

Despite the release of the church's founder, the situation for the Zion Church remains dire. Eight other members of the congregation remain imprisoned [3]. These detainees continue to face the consequences of the government's crackdown on underground worship sites in Beijing and beyond [1].

Authorities have targeted these groups to ensure all religious practice aligns with state directives. The campaign involves not only arrests, but the physical demolition of meeting spaces used by the underground church network [3].

“The release followed a direct plea from U.S. President Donald Trump to Xi Jinping.”

The release of Ezra Jin Mingri demonstrates that high-level diplomatic pressure from the U.S. can secure the freedom of individual high-profile detainees. However, the continued imprisonment of eight other members and the systemic destruction of underground churches suggest that China's fundamental policy of eradicating unsanctioned religious activity remains unchanged.