Chinese authorities have released Pastor Ezra Jin, founder of the underground Zion Church, after he spent months in detention following a major crackdown on unregistered Christian groups.

Jin was arrested in October alongside 17 other members of his church in one of the largest actions against a single underground congregation in China in recent decades.His release came after U.S.President Donald Trump raised his case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing in May.According to Trump's public remarks at the time, Xi said he would give serious consideration to the request.Jin has since arrived in Los Angeles, where he was reunited with his family.His daughter described the release as a miracle and thanked supporters, the Trump administration, and Xi Jinping for making the outcome possible.She also expressed hope that the development could signal an improvement in religious freedom in China and in relations between the two countries.Despite Jin's release, several members of Zion Church remain in detention, while others have been released on bail.

Human rights advocates welcomed the decision but emphasized that broader concerns remain over China's treatment of independent religious organizations.

Chinese officials have not publicly commented on the reasons for Jin's release, although the country's foreign ministry has previously maintained that religious affairs are managed according to Chinese law and that freedom of religious belief is protected.