(Beihai – December 10, 2025) In the closely watched Beijing Zion Church case, new developments regarding the detained individuals have recently come to light. Defense lawyer Zhang Kai stated on the 9th that after his eighth meeting, he was able to share good news: through extensive coordination and communication, the detained Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri “has been able to read the Bible in the detention center.” This development is seen as a rare sign of easing tensions amid the ongoing stalemate in the case.
Meanwhile, a prayer letter written by Ren Zhong, the husband of another detainee, Wang Cong, has circulated among church communities. In a profound sorrowful tone, the letter describes the pressure borne by the family and their current situation. He wrote that after Wang Cong was detained, the health of the family’s elders rapidly deteriorated. His mother, overwhelmed by the family upheaval and the arrest of her daughter-in-law, suffered a relapse of severe depression, experiencing heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, and expressing pessimistic thoughts such as “there’s no point in living,” causing deep concern among family members.
The letter also notes that their three-year-old daughter was frightened by the late-night home entry by law-enforcement officers on the night of the incident and has continued to exhibit signs of fear.
Ren Zhong stated that due to the family’s special circumstances, Wang Cong’s defense lawyer applied to the Yinhai Branch of the Beihai Public Security Bureau for release on bail pending trial, but the request was rejected. On November 25, the lawyer sent materials requesting the police to explain the facts already established in the case as well as the reasons for refusing to alter the compulsory measures, but no reply has been received so far.
In the letter, Ren Zhong describes his wife’s long-term involvement in public-interest work, including Wenchuan earthquake relief, blood donation, smoking-cessation promotion, and accompanying sick children, emphasizing her willingness to help others and her compassionate nature. He added that to his knowledge, if the authorities were to change the compulsory measures, there would not be any risk posed to public safety.
A coordinated suppression campaign that began on October 9 this year led to the arrest of 23 members of Beijing Zion Church, with 18 still under compulsory detention. Zion Church is an evangelical house church. The incident has caused severe damage to the international image of the Chinese state and its leaders.
Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai for China Aid