ChinaAid Welcomes Release of Chinese Pastor After Months in Detention

Christian human rights organization ChinaAid has welcomed the release of Chinese house church pastor Jin Mingri, who was detained in southern China for several months before arriving safely in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Pastor Jin, leader of Beijing's Zion Church, had been held in detention centres in Beihai since October 2025. He was among 18 underground church leaders arrested in November and accused of "illegally using information networks."

Speaking to Reuters, Jin's daughter, Grace, said eight members of the Zion Church remain in detention in China.

In a statement, ChinaAid described Jin's release as encouraging news and expressed gratitude for his safe arrival in the United States.

China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on the development.

According to Grace Jin, U.S. President Donald Trump raised her father's case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing in May. The family believes high-level diplomatic efforts played a key role in securing his release.

"We hope this marks a positive step for religious freedom in China and for relations between our two countries," the family said in a statement.

Pastor Jin's release comes as international attention remains focused on China's treatment of underground Christian churches and religious freedom. His supporters continue to call for the release of the remaining detained church members.

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