### Crackdown on Christianity: China Detains Pastor Jin and Dozens of Underground Church Leaders - In a significant escalation of its ongoing repression of religious practices, China has detained Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the founder of the Zion Church, along with approximately 30 other Christian leaders. This crackdown is viewed as the most severe action against underground churches since 2018, reflecting the Chinese government's increasing intolerance towards unregistered religious groups. The U.S. government has condemned these actions, urging China to release the detained individuals, labeling the crackdown as anti-Christian [https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-pastor-jin-china-detains-underground-church-founder-with-30-others-its-anti-christian-says-us/4008853]. ### Structure of the Response: Key Segments 1. **Background of the Zion Church**: Overview of the church's establishment and its significance in the underground Christian community. 2. **Details of the Detention**: Specifics regarding the arrests, including the location and number of detained individuals. 3. **Government's Justification**: Examination of the reasons provided by Chinese authorities for the crackdown. 4. **International Reaction**: Summary of responses from the U.S. and other international bodies regarding the detentions. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Background of the Zion Church**: - Founded by Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the Zion Church has grown to become one of China's largest underground congregations, operating outside government-sanctioned religious frameworks [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/world/asia/china-church-pastor-detained.html]. - **Details of the Detention**: - Pastor Jin was detained at his home in Beihai, along with dozens of other church leaders, marking a significant crackdown on unregistered religious practices [https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-detains-dozens-of-underground-church-pastors-in-crackdown-101760346242794.html]. - **Government's Justification**: - Authorities have accused the detained individuals of illegally spreading religious content online, a common justification used in previous crackdowns [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3660865-crackdown-on-christianity-underground-church-leaders-detained-in-china]. - **International Reaction**: - The U.S. has publicly condemned the detentions, calling for the immediate release of the detained leaders and highlighting the anti-Christian nature of the crackdown [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-detain-church-pastors-crackdown-zion-5398296]. ### Summary of Findings 1. **Significant Crackdown**: The detention of Pastor Jin and other church leaders represents a major escalation in China's efforts to suppress underground religious movements. 2. **International Condemnation**: The U.S. and other international observers have criticized the actions as violations of religious freedom. 3. **Ongoing Tensions**: This incident occurs amid heightened tensions between China and the U.S., suggesting that religious repression may be intertwined with broader geopolitical conflicts. 4. **Call for Action**: There is a growing call for international advocacy to support religious freedom in China, particularly for unregistered religious groups. In conclusion, the recent detentions of Pastor Jin and his associates underscore the Chinese government's relentless campaign against underground churches, drawing significant international scrutiny and condemnation. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for U.S.-China relations and the global discourse on religious freedom.