US Urges China to Free 30 Leaders of Prominent Underground Church
The United States has urged China to release 30 leaders from one of its largest underground church networks, detained during recent raids across multiple cities. Among those arrested is Jin Mingri, the founder of Zion Church, who was taken into custody after a search of his home by police. This crackdown has been described as one of the most significant actions against Christians in decades, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing repression of religious practices outside state-sanctioned institutions.
Details of the Arrests
The arrests occurred over the weekend, with reports indicating that police conducted coordinated raids in various locations. The detained individuals include several pastors and prominent church leaders. Jin Mingri, who founded Zion Church in 2007, has been a vocal advocate for religious freedom. His church, which began with just 20 members, has grown to encompass around 10,000 congregants across 40 cities. The church has faced increasing scrutiny from the government, particularly after it resisted demands to install surveillance cameras at its Beijing property. In 2018, the Chinese authorities officially banned Zion Church, leading to previous detentions of Jin and other leaders.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the detainees have been formally charged with any crimes. The Chinese government has not issued any statements regarding the arrests, leaving many questions unanswered. The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the crackdown and calling for the immediate release of the church leaders. He emphasized that this incident reflects the Chinese Communist Party’s hostility towards Christians who seek to practice their faith independently of government oversight.
Impact on U.S.-China Relations
This latest incident could exacerbate existing tensions between the United States and China, particularly as trade disputes continue to escalate. The two nations are already grappling with issues related to tariffs and export controls, and the crackdown on religious leaders may further complicate diplomatic relations. There are concerns that this situation could hinder a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place in South Korea later this month.
The Chinese government’s approach to religious freedom has tightened under Xi Jinping’s leadership, with increased restrictions on both Christian and Muslim communities. In a 2016 national conference on religion, Xi called for religious groups to align their beliefs with national interests, further emphasizing the party’s control over spiritual practices. Despite these challenges, unregistered house churches, like Zion Church, continue to thrive, demonstrating a resilient underground movement among believers.
Reactions from the Church Community
In response to the arrests, Zion Church released a statement condemning the systematic persecution of its leaders. The church described the crackdown as a significant affront to religious freedom and a challenge to the international community. Bob Fu, the founder of the U.S.-based non-profit ChinaAid, characterized the recent detentions as unprecedented and likened them to the darkest periods of religious repression in China’s history.
Jin Mingri’s wife, Liu Chunli, expressed her anguish over her husband’s detention, describing her feelings of shock and sorrow. She emphasized that Jin is innocent and merely fulfilling his role as a pastor. Liu’s heartfelt plea for prayers reflects the emotional toll this situation has taken on families involved. Other house churches in China have also voiced their support, calling for the immediate release of those detained.
Pastor Sean Long, who is based in the U.S., noted that Jin had anticipated a crackdown of this magnitude. In a recent conversation, Jin expressed hope that such challenges could lead to a revival within the church community. His unwavering faith amid adversity serves as a testament to the resilience of underground churches in China, which continue to gather and share their messages despite government opposition.
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