Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) detention of Zion Church founder Pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin as well as the brutal arrest of dozens of other religious leaders and church staff in multiple regions across China.
 
“With these arrests, the CCP once again has demonstrated its utter contempt for religious freedom,” said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. “We call upon the US government to pressure China on this horrendous violation until it releases Ezra Jin and of all those who have been detained for practicing their faith.”
 
This nationwide crackdown adds to ongoing assaults on freedom of religion or belief within China. Under President Xi Jinping’s “sinicization of religion” policy, CCP authorities have escalated efforts to coerce and to enact retribution on religious groups refusing to join state-controlled religious organizations.
 
“These latest arrests of religious leaders is a continuation of the CCP’s persecution against the Chinese people,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “The Chinese government will stop at nothing – even its own borders – to repress religious freedom for everyone.”
 
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State continue to designate China as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. On September 26, 2025, USCIRF released a report on “China’s Persecution of Religious Leaders,” including imprisonment, forced disappearance, and torture. USCIRF held a hearing on October 16, 2025, on “State-Controlled Religion in China” at which these latest developments were addressed.