Eight Beijing Zion Church leaders are set to be put on trial, despite the release of founder Ezra Jin.
Defence lawyers have been told the Christian pastors will be charged with fraud and illegal business operations, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for 10 August before public hearings between 14 and 18 August.
Persecution watchdog China Aid alleges authorities have “accelerated” proceedings ahead of leader Xi Jinping’s anticipated visit to meet Donald Trump in the USA, in what will become a “global test of religious freedom, judicial independence, and US-China diplomatic relations".
The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) crackdown on the independent house church network began with raids in October 2025.
Wang Lin, Gao Yingjia, Yin Huibin, Wang Cong, Liu Zhenbin, and Lin Shucheng have been accused of fraud for allegedly obtaining ¥10m (£1.1m) of offerings in what prosecutors describe as “illegal religious activities".
Pastor Wang Lin, Elder Wang Zhong, and Wu Qiuyu are charged with illegal business operations for allegedly earning approximately ¥2m (£220,500) by selling religious courses without CCP approval.
They are being held at Beihai Detention Center in Guangxi.
In a statement, the church leaders maintained that voluntary offerings, pastoral support, and theological education are longstanding expressions of religious freedom rather than criminal conduct. China Aid states that supposed evidence against the church leaders has been obtained through coercion and deception.
The release of Pastor Ezra Jin in July was celebrated, reuniting with his family in America after discussions between Xi and Donald Trump.
Grace Jin Drexel, daughter of the freed pastor, said: “Many believe this is an attempt to rush an outcome before Chairman Xi visits Washington in September. We argue that the continual persecution and imprisonment of the other eight directly goes against the goodwill established with the release of my father, Pastor Ezra Jin.”
Rep John Moolenaar, chairman of the House of Representatives Select Committee on China, said: “It was a true blessing to celebrate the release of Pastor Ezra Jin last month, but religious freedom in China is still under attack. President Trump has made it clear he strongly opposes the persecution of Christians around the world and China is no exception.
“The CCP should immediately release the eight remaining Zion Church leaders, as well as all persecuted underground church leaders including Pastor Gao Quanfu. They should be reunited with their families, and all Chinese citizens should be allowed to freely and openly follow the faith of their choice.”