Pastor Jin Mingri Released from Beijing Prison After US Intervention
Pastor Jin Mingri, a prominent figure in China's unregistered Protestant churches, has been released from detention in Beijing. Mr Jin, who established the Zion Church, one of China's largest 'underground' congregations, had been imprisoned for an unspecified period. His release reportedly came after a direct intervention from then-US President Donald Trump, who raised the pastor's case with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mr Jin's Zion Church, which once boasted thousands of congregants, was forcibly shut down by Chinese authorities in 2018. The closure was part of a broader crackdown on religious groups perceived as challenging state authority, with officials citing fire safety violations and 'illegal gatherings' as pretexts. Critics maintain that these actions are intended to consolidate control over religious practice, ensuring alignment with the Communist Party's objectives.
The US government, under the Trump administration, frequently highlighted religious freedom as a foreign policy concern, particularly regarding China's treatment of minority groups and unregistered religious organisations. Such interventions, while framed as humanitarian, also serve broader strategic interests, providing diplomatic leverage in bilateral relations and reinforcing Western narratives concerning human rights abroad.
