How China Tried to Dismantle a Major Underground Church

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Vivian WangDecember 21, 2025 at 06:01 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

In early October 2025, Chinese authorities detained nearly 30 pastors and members of Zion Church, a large unregistered Protestant network with branches across China, marking the most extensive crackdown on Chinese Christians in years. The arrests occurred across various locations, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangxi. Eighteen detainees have been formally arrested, accused of "illegally using information networks," a charge targeting online sharing of unauthorized information. Zion Church, founded in Beijing in 2007 by Pastor Jin Mingri (Ezra), had previously been shut down in 2018 and moved largely online. The Chinese Communist Party requires religious groups to register and submit to political controls, leading many Christians to worship underground, a practice increasingly targeted under Xi Jinping's leadership.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guangxi 30% Shanghai 40% Xi Jinping 50% Chinese Communist Party 60% Beijing ×260% Jin Mingri (Ezra) ×270% China ×480% Zion Church ×590%

Keywords

zion church 100% church crackdown 90% china 90% christian 80% underground church 80% religious freedom 70% jin mingri 70% religious persecution 70% illegally using information networks 60% chinese communist party 60%