{"id":2500203,"date":"2025-10-17T16:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T20:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-demands-release-of-church-leaders-arrested-by-chinese-communist-party\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T16:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T20:16:27","slug":"rubio-demands-release-of-church-leaders-arrested-by-chinese-communist-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-demands-release-of-church-leaders-arrested-by-chinese-communist-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Rubio Demands Release of Church Leaders Arrested by Chinese Communist Party"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frubio-demands-release-of-church-leaders-arrested-by-chinese-communist-party%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2500203&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for the release of nearly three dozen Christian leaders detained by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during one of the most severe crackdowns on underground churches in decades. The leaders belong to Zion Church, an unregistered Christian house church network, which experienced multiple detentions across China in recent overnight raids. Prominent minister Mingri &#8220;Ezra&#8221; Jin was among those taken into custody.<\/p>\n<p>Rubio condemned the crackdown, highlighting it as a demonstration of the CCP&#8217;s hostility toward Christians who refuse Party interference and choose to worship outside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-government-doubles-fine-for-pastor-who-runs-house-church-watchdog-says\/\" title=\"... increases fine for pastor running house ..., says watchdog.\">state-sanctioned churches<\/a>. He urged the CCP to release the detained leaders and permit all believers to practise their faith freely without fear of retribution.<\/p>\n<p>The Chinese government, however, denied knowledge of the arrests and stated it <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >governs religious affairs lawfully<\/a>, opposing what it calls U.S. interference. despite such persecution, Christianity continues to grow in China, with Zion Church expanding from 20 members in 2007 to 10,000 across 40 cities. The crackdown occurs amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China on various issues, including trade.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded the release of the nearly three dozen Christian leaders detained by the Chinese Communist Party in one of the worst underground church crackdowns in decades.<\/p>\n<p>Zion Church, an unregistered house church network, had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/china-arrests-numerous-prominent-christians-leaders-trump-admin-demands-release\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">several leaders detained in overnight raids<\/a> across the country over the weekend, according to a report from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c364n004wxzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mingri &ldquo;Ezra&rdquo; Jin, a prominent minister, was taken into custody.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Such systematic persecution is not only an affront to the Church of God but also a public challenge to the international community,&rdquo; Zion Church remarked in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The BBC noted that Chinese Christians are generally pressured to join state-sanctioned churches that do not criticize the Chinese Communist Party.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> console.log(\"A\/B Test Video Player\"); \/\/ Helper function to set a cookie function setVideoCookie(name, value, days) {     var expires=\"\";     if (days) {         var date=new Date();         date.setTime(date.getTime() + (days*24*60*60*1000));         expires=\"; expires=\" + date.toUTCString();     }     document.cookie=name + \"=\" + (value || \"\")  + expires + \"; path=\/\"; }  \/\/ Helper function to get a cookie function getVideoCookie(name) {     var nameEQ=name + \"=\";     var ca=document.cookie.split(';');     for(var i=0; i <ca.length; i++) {         var c=ca[i]; 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             \/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element             let targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);              if (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) {                 console.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\");                 return null;             }              return paragraphs[targetIndex - x];         }          \/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver         function observeElement(element) {             if (!element) return;              const observer=new IntersectionObserver(                 (entries)=> {                     entries.forEach(entry=> {                         if (entry.isIntersecting) {                             console.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim());                             loadAnyclip();                             observer.disconnect();                         }                     });                 },                 { threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed             );              observer.observe(element);         }          \/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #videoPlayer and observe it         let paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#videoPlayer\", 2);         observeElement(paragraphToObserve);     }); }  \/\/ stn function stnPlayer() {     \/\/ may want to pass in         document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {         function loadScript(src) {             const script=document.createElement(\"script\");             script.src=src;             script.async=true;             document.body.appendChild(script);         }         function findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) {             const targetElement=document.querySelector(selector);             if (!targetElement) {                 console.warn(\"Target element not found.\");                 return null;             }              \/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document             let paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));              \/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element             let targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);              if (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) {                 console.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\");                 return null;             }              return paragraphs[targetIndex - x];         }          \/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver         function observeElement(element) {             if (!element) return;              const observer=new IntersectionObserver(                 (entries)=> {                     entries.forEach(entry=> {                         if (entry.isIntersecting) {                             console.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim());                             loadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\");                             observer.disconnect(); 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        observeElement(paragraphToObserve);     }); }  \/\/ Assign user to a group window.adUserGroup=assignSplitTestGroup(); let isSubbed=getCookie( 'ff_subbed' );  \/\/ Example usage if (isSubbed) {     console.log('User is subscribed, not running a player'); } else if (window.adUserGroup==='A') {     console.log('Running Aditude player for group A');     aditudePlayer(); } else if (window.adUserGroup==='B') {     console.log('Running Anyclip player for group B');     anyclipPlayer(); } else {     console.log('Running STN player for group C');     stnPlayer(); } <\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Rubio said in a Sunday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2025\/10\/detention-of-zion-house-church-leaders-in-china\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a> that the United States government condemns the &ldquo;recent detention of dozens of leaders of the unregistered house Zion Church.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This crackdown further demonstrates how the CCP exercises hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference in their faith and choose to worship at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-arrests-numerous-prominent-christians-leaders-trump-admin-demands-release\/\" title=\"... Arrests Numerous Prominent ... ... - Trump Admin Demands ...\">unregistered house churches<\/a>,&rdquo; he continued.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We call on the CCP to immediately release the detained church leaders and to allow all people of faith, including members of house churches, to engage in religious activities without fear of retribution.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The persecution of Christians in the communist nation occurs as the United States and China face continued <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/rubios-state-department-rebukes-britains-persecution-praying-christians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">discord<\/a> with respect to tariffs.<\/p>\n<p>Trump administration officials have increasingly stood against persecution of Christians across the world, meaning that the detained believers could emerge in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canada-dodges-trump-tariffs-with-border-commitments\/\" title=\"Canada dodges Trump tariffs with border commitments\">upcoming trade talks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Chinese foreign ministry representative Lin Jian said at a news conference that he was not aware of the arrests, per the BBC.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Chinese government governs religious affairs in accordance with the law, and protects the religious freedom of citizens and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hong-kong-needs-our-help-to-preserve-religious-freedom-not-just-on-paper-but-in-practice\/\" title=\"Hong Kong Needs Our Help To Preserve ... Not Just On Paper, But In Practice\">normal religious activities<\/a>,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We firmly oppose the U.S. interfering in China&rsquo;s internal affairs with so-called religious issues.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Despite the persecution against Christians, the church is still growing in China.<\/p>\n<p>Jin started the Zion Church network in 2007 with a mere 20 people, but the church now has 10,000 across 40 cities.<\/p>\n<p>He had been barred from leaving China, but his wife and children have been living in the United States for safety.<\/p>\n<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a 2016 conference that religious Chinese citizens must &ldquo;protect the unification of their motherland and serve the overall interests of the Chinese nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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According to a BBC report, multiple leaders from Zion Church, an unregistered house church network, were arrested during overnight raids nationwide over the weekend<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2500204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Marco-Rubio-4.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4501,65427,5438],"class_list":["post-2500203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-china","tag-church-leaders","tag-rubio"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Marco-Rubio-4.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500203"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2500207,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500203\/revisions\/2500207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2500204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}