Key facts
- Ezra Jin, founder of China's Zion Church, has been released from prison.
- Jin has reunited with his family in the U.S.
- The Trump administration lobbied for Jin's release.
- President Trump discussed Jin's case with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Jin's release occurred weeks after his case was raised by President Trump.
- Zion Church is an underground church in China.
- Jin is a prominent figure in China's unregistered religious movement.
Ezra Jin, the founder of China's underground Zion Church, has been released from prison and has reunited with his family in the United States. The release of Jin, a prominent figure in China's unregistered religious movement, is attributed to lobbying efforts by the Trump administration. President Trump himself raised Jin's case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Jin's freedom came weeks after these high-level discussions between the two leaders. The Zion Church is one of China's largest unregistered religious organizations, and its members have faced persecution from authorities. Jin's case highlights the intersection of religious freedom advocacy and U.S.-China diplomatic relations.