Families of eight Christians detained in China have raised concerns about their treatment in custody, claiming some have suffered severe weight loss amid overcrowding, poor food and inadequate medical care.
The eight are pastors and members of Beijing Zion Church, one of China's largest unregistered Protestant churches, and have remained in detention in Beihai, in the southern Guangxi region, following a nationwide crackdown on the church in October 2025.
They are facing charges including fraud and illegal business operations, relating to their church ministry and the sale of online religious courses. Zion Church has rejected the allegations and maintains that its pastoral work and theological education are legitimate expressions of religious freedom.
Christian human rights organisation ChinaAid said relatives had reported deteriorating conditions at Beihai's First and Second Detention Centres, including overcrowding, inadequate medical care and harsh disciplinary practices.
Human rights activist Shiming Lei said several members of the church had lost significant amounts of weight while detained.
Among those raising concerns is Lin Wenyu, the mother of detained Pastor Wang Lin. In a public video released in August, she said her son had lost around 15 kilograms during his first eight months in custody.
"My son has been imprisoned for ten months because of his faith," she said, adding that his weight had fallen rapidly by the time he underwent a medical examination in June.
Family members have claimed detainees were being given meals consisting largely of boiled vegetables and soybeans, while requests for more nutritious food had been rejected.
They have also alleged that some detainees suffering from health problems had not received the medication or treatment they required.
An Mei, a Zion Church lay leader who was released on bail pending trial after eight months in detention, was reported to have lost around 30 kilograms.
Relatives have also described difficult conditions inside the detention centres.
Lin Wenyu claimed mosquitoes entered cells through unscreened windows and that detainees had to ask permission before attempting to kill them. She said breaking rules could result in prisoners being made to stand for extended periods.
She also alleged detainees had sometimes been required to stand outside in the rain while eating.
ChinaAid said overcrowded and unsanitary conditions had contributed to some detainees developing severe heat rash and eczema.
The allegations about conditions inside the detention centres have not been independently verified
Legal concerns raised
Defence lawyers have also raised concerns about the handling of the case. ChinaAid said prosecutors filed charges without notifying the lawyers or seeking their views, which they argue breached the defendants' legal rights.
ChinaAid said Wang Zhong and Wu Qiuyu had applied for bail because of health and family circumstances.
The trial, expected in August, was postponed after defence lawyers said they had not been given enough time to review the case material.
Pastor released after diplomatic talks
Zion Church founder Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was released in July after almost nine months in custody and travelled to the United States to rejoin his family.
ChinaAid linked his release to diplomatic talks between the US and China, reporting that President Donald Trump had raised his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.
His family described the release as a "miracle".
Eight members of Zion Church remain detained, with their families and religious freedom campaigners continuing to raise concerns about their wellbeing.
