An American pastor has been released from detention in China and returned to the United States after nearly 20 years behind bars.
The U.S. State Department confirmed the release of 68-year-old David Lin, who was convicted of contract fraud in China in 2006.
According to Breitbart, Lin's freedom comes after years of advocacy by human rights groups and diplomatic efforts by the U.S. government. Lin, a Christian pastor from California, entered China in 2006 to carry out religious activities.
He was subsequently detained, formally arrested in 2009, and later sentenced to life in prison on charges of contract fraud. Advocacy groups claim that this charge is often used against leaders of unauthorized churches in China.
The Biden administration has been working on Lin's case, along with those of other Americans believed to be wrongfully detained in China. U.S. officials have consistently raised these cases in meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Laos.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed satisfaction with Lin's release, stating:
We welcome David Lin’s release from prison in the People’s Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and reunited with his family for the first time in nearly 20 years. We’ll continue to push the release of other Americans. It’s something that we continue to work on. It’s an important step forward, and we’re going to continue to push for the release of other Americans.
Lin's case highlights the challenges faced by religious practitioners in China, particularly those operating outside state-sanctioned organizations.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has noted that leaders and participants in unsanctioned churches often face intimidation, harassment, arrest, and harsh sentences.
In China, all Christian churches are required to pledge loyalty to the ruling Communist Party and register with the government. Unregistered congregations are considered illegal, and their activities are prohibited. The Chinese government has intensified its crackdown on "unlawful preaching" in recent years.
Bob Fu, founder of China Aid, an advocacy group for persecuted activists in China, shared a text message from Lin's daughter confirming his release: "Praise God! We got the call late last night!!! Dad is free and over Alaska now."
While Lin's release is a positive development, several other Americans remain detained in China under various charges. These include businessman Kai Li and Mark Swidan, both of whom have been designated as "wrongful detainees" by the U.S. State Department.
Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed Lin's release but called for immediate action on behalf of the remaining detainees.
Lin, a Christian pastor, was detained in 2006 and later convicted of contract fraud, a charge often used against leaders of unauthorized churches in China. His freedom comes after years of advocacy by human rights groups and persistent diplomatic efforts by the U.S. government. While celebrating Lin's return, officials continue to press for the release of other Americans detained in China, highlighting ongoing concerns about religious freedom and the use of detentions as a diplomatic tool.
