Trump Frees Chinese Pastor After Nine Months Through Beijing Diplomacy

Ezra Jin, founder of Beijing's Zion Church, arrived in the U.S. on July 3, 2026, after nine months in detention. Trump raised Jin's case during a May visit to Beijing, telling reporters Xi Jinping was "seriously considering" releasing imprisoned pastors. Jin's family credited the Trump administration's intervention. Seventeen other detained church members remain without comparable diplomatic support.