China has released underground church pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, who had been detained since October 2022. His release occurred after US President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing. Jin arrived safely in Los Angeles on Saturday, as confirmed by his family and rights groups.
Background on Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri
Pastor Jin founded Zion Church in Beijing in 2007, which grew to approximately 1,500 members before the authorities forced its closure in 2018. Following the crackdown on his church, Jin relocated his family to the United States but returned to China despite the risks involved. His daughter, Grace Jin, revealed that she had not seen her father in six years.
Jin's case gained international attention after Trump mentioned it alongside the detention of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher serving a 20-year prison sentence. During his Beijing visit, Trump stated he requested Xi to consider Jin's release.
Family's Response and Implications
Jin's family expressed gratitude for his unexpected release, crediting both Trump and Xi for facilitating this outcome. Grace Jin said, "We thank God for this tremendous miracle. We hope this is a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations." Trump's comments indicated that Xi had agreed to
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