Beijing Zion Church “10·9” Case Family Members’ Group of Detained Pastors and Co-workers: Update on the Beijing Zion Church “10·9” Case (July 21, 2026)

The Beijing Zion Church“10·9” case has now entered its 286th day。

Since October 9, 2025，a total of 23 pastors and co-workers have been detained。At present，14 of them have been released on bail pending trial，and 1 was released after the procuratorate decided not to prosecute。As of today，8 pastors and co-workers remain detained at the No. 1 and No. 2 detention centers in Beihai，Guangxi，suspected of “fraud” and/or “illegal business operations”。The case was transferred to the People’s Procuratorate of Yinhai District，Beihai City，for review and prosecution on June 18，2026，and was brought before the People’s Court of Yinhai District，Beihai City，on July 17 without the defense lawyers’ knowledge。

According to Article 261 of the 《Rules of the People’s Procuratorates on Criminal Procedure》：

When handling cases for review and prosecution，the opinions of the defense counsel or duty lawyer、the victim，and the litigation representative shall be heard，and a record shall be made。If the defense counsel or duty lawyer、the victim，or the litigation representative submits written opinions，they shall be attached to the case file。

Article 262 of the 《Rules of the People’s Procuratorates on Criminal Procedure》 further provides that where difficulties exist in hearing the opinions of the defense counsel，measures shall be actively taken to complete the process；if it is genuinely impossible to hear them for objective reasons，the relevant circumstances shall be recorded in the case file。

However，the procurator handling this case transferred it to the People’s Court for trial without fulfilling the above statutory procedures as required by law and without hearing the defense lawyers’ opinions。This conduct clearly violated the explicit provisions of the 《Rules of the People’s Procuratorates on Criminal Procedure》and seriously infringed upon the suspects’ legally protected rights to defense and litigation。

Latest developments in the case

1. On July 3，Pastor Jin Mingri traveled to the United States to reunite with his family。

2. On July 17，the 8 pastors and co-workers Wang Lin、Yin Huibin、Gao Yingjia、Wang Cong、Wu Qiuyu、Wang Zhong、Lin Shucheng、and Liu Zhenbin were brought before the People’s Court of Yinhai District，Beihai City，without the defense lawyers receiving any notification。

3. Beihai continues to experience high temperatures and high humidity。Detainees have been living for a prolonged period in cells of approximately 40 square meters housing more than 30 people，with crowded living conditions，and several have already developed serious symptoms such as prickly heat and eczema。

4. Some pastors and co-workers suffering from serious illnesses have still not received necessary medication or medical treatment；requests for nutritional meals have also been denied，and their physical conditions continue to deteriorate。

5. The 8 pastors and co-workers have suffered from inadequate nutrition for a prolonged period，and have generally become visibly emaciated，raising serious concerns about their health。

6. The communication rights legally enjoyed by the detained pastors and co-workers continue to be restricted。

Prayer requests

1. May God guide all members of the special task force handling this case、detention-center personnel，as well as the public security、procuratorial、court、judicial-administration、oversight，and relevant superior authorities，so that they may act with reverence，respect the country’s Constitution and laws，and treat the 8 detained pastors and co-workers lawfully，fairly，and justly。

2. May God personally watch over the health of the 8 pastors and co-workers and heal all their illnesses and weaknesses。

3. May God grant the grace received by Daniel，so that even in conditions of inadequate nutrition，the 8 pastors and co-workers may continue to be protected by God，remain physically strong and healthy，have radiant complexions，and be filled with wisdom and strength from God。

4. May God strengthen the faith and resolve of the legal team，watch over the work in their hands，and also look after their families，protecting them from all disturbance。

5. May God watch over the daily lives of every family member and child，personally comfort them，wipe away all their tears，carry their burdens，and grant them peace and joy。

6. May God open a way in the media field，so that fair、truthful、and free voices may be heard by more people，and remove lies and concealment。

7. May God release His servants and handmaids at an early date according to His will，so that they may safely return to their families and church。

We condemn all conduct that violates the principles of the rule of law and harms the lawful rights of citizens，and call on the relevant authorities to genuinely respect the rights granted to citizens by the Constitution and the law，handle the case according to law，and administer justice fairly。

We also continue to pray fervently，hoping only that “But let justice roll on like a river，righteousness like a never-failing stream!”（Amos 5:24）May light overcome darkness，and may righteousness and goodness be manifested in this land。

Beijing Zion Church “10·9” Case Family Members’ Group of Detained Pastors and Co-workers

July 21, 2026