(Midland, Texas — March 27, 2026) A massive, coordinated crackdown on Beijing Zion Church (北京锡安教会) has entered a new phase. After more than 150 days of detentions involving dozens of leaders and members of Beijing Zion Church, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has shifted its focus toward the legal professionals attempting to defend them.
Speaking on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, Dr. Bob Fu warned that the Chinese government is no longer content with “arbitrarily jailing” religious leaders. In a disturbing escalation, the CCP is now launching what Dr. Fu describes as a “war against the rule of law” by systematically dismantling the legal defense teams. Lawyers who chose to represent the detained individuals now face disbarment or have already been disbarred.
“The outcome of a potential trial… has been predetermined,” Fu stated. The Chinese government’s primary goal in targeting lawyers is to sever the “only reliable channel of communication” between the imprisoned pastors and their families.
The current suppression of Zion Church and its legal counsel draws haunting parallels to the “709 Crackdown” of July 2015, where over 200 human rights lawyers were rounded up, and some were reportedly tortured. Fu recounted the harrowing story of lawyer Li Heping, who was reportedly force-fed “mysterious medical pills” during his imprisonment to break his will.
As the 18 leaders and members of the Zion Church remain in detention, the international community continues to monitor the situation, which Fu describes as a “grim milestone” for religious freedom and the legal profession in China. Dr. Fu concluded with a call for international awareness and prayers for the protection of human rights lawyers and their families, as well as boldness to keep speaking up for justice.
