China has released Jin Mingri, a pastor of a prominent underground Christian church, allowing him to reunite with his family in the United States. The decision follows discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in May.

Jin, also known as Ezra Jin, established the Zion Church in 2007. The congregation quickly expanded from an initial 20 members to more than 10,000 worshippers across 40 Chinese cities. Although China officially permits religious practice, the ruling Communist Party maintains strict control over religious institutions. Churches not sanctioned by the government often face police harassment, and their leaders and members risk detention.

The Zion Church was banned in 2018 after Jin refused government demands to install surveillance cameras on church property amid broader efforts to suppress underground Christian groups. Jin relocated his family to the United States but returned to China and continued preaching online. He was arrested in October 2025 alongside at least 17 other church leaders and congregants.

President Trump raised Jin’s case, as well as that of jailed Hong Kong newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai, during his meeting with President Xi. Trump later stated that Xi had indicated he would give "strong consideration" to Jin’s release, while acknowledging that Lai’s situation remained more complicated.

Supporters in the United States, including the religious rights organization ChinaAid, welcomed Jin’s release as a positive development, describing it as a goodwill gesture coinciding with America’s Independence Day. While Trump has remained measured in publicizing the release, likely mindful of China’s sensitivity to external criticism, Jin’s freedom stands out amid ongoing repression.

Numerous individuals in China remain detained for their religious beliefs, often without the visibility or support surrounding Jin’s case. Meanwhile, Jimmy Lai continues to serve a 20-year sentence after being convicted on charges of sedition and colluding with foreign forces, in a trial widely criticized as politically motivated. Lai, 78, is reportedly in poor health.

The outcome of Jin’s release illustrates the potential impact of targeted diplomatic pressure. Observers suggest that similar efforts might be applied to secure the freedom of other prisoners of conscience detained in China.