Key facts
- Pastor Ezra Jin of Zion Church was released from detention in China.
- Jin arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026.
- His release followed discussions between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Jin was among 18 Zion Church leaders arrested last November and charged with "illegally using information networks."
- ChinaAid welcomed the release and called for the freedom of all prisoners of faith.
ChinaAid has welcomed the release of Zion Church Pastor Ezra Jin, who arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026, after being detained in China since October. Pastor Jin was among 18 leaders of the church arrested last November and charged with "illegally using information networks."
According to ChinaAid, Pastor Jin's release was the result of an extraordinary diplomatic arrangement stemming from discussions between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese officials reportedly presented the release as a goodwill gesture coinciding with American Independence Day.
Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, Founder and President of ChinaAid, expressed gratitude for Pastor Jin's freedom, calling it a "remarkable Independence Day miracle" and an answer to prayer. He also thanked President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. officials for their behind-the-scenes efforts.
While celebrating Jin's release, Dr. Fu emphasized that many other prisoners of conscience, including other pastors and coworkers from Zion Church, as well as Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and others, remain unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party. He urged President Trump and his administration to continue prioritizing religious freedom and the release of all prisoners of faith in engagements with Beijing.
ChinaAid stated its continued commitment to advocating for the release of every prisoner jailed for peacefully exercising their faith.