Zion Church families warn of inhumane detention conditions ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
By James Lewis - Posted at Premier Christian News:
Published September 22, 2026
Ahead of an expected summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later this week, Fortify Rights has called for the church leaders to be released. The group, which documents human rights violations, has collected testimony from family members about the moment of arrest and conditions in detention.Families of the detained Zion Church leaders have recounted the persecution, mistreatment and inhumane conditions they have faced, as a rights group renews calls for their release ahead of a meeting between the Chinese and American presidents.
Eight leaders from the underground Beijing church remain imprisoned awaiting a delayed trial, despite the release of church founder Pastor Ezra Jin more than two months ago after the two leaders met.
A crackdown on the unregistered church by Chinese authorities in October 2025 led to the arrest of 18 people. The eight detained have been charged with illegally using information networks, illegal business operations and fraud connected to their online Christian worship; nine more leaders were released on bail but continue to face the same allegations.
