US Pastor Freed After Years Imprisoned in China

U.S. Pastor David Lin has been released after almost two decades in China.

At a Glance

David Lin was detained in 2006 for attempting to establish a Christian training center in Beijing.
He was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 on fraud charges.
The U.S. State Department maintained that Lin was wrongfully detained.
Lin’s release was confirmed this week with no comment from the Chinese government.
Lin’s daughter, Alice, had been advocating for his release, especially after being diagnosed with cancer.

Pastor David Lin’s Long-Awaited Release

Chinese-American pastor David Lin has been unexpectedly released from prison after around 18 years stuck in China. Lin was detained in 2006 for attempting to establish a Christian training center in Beijing. In 2009, he received a life sentence on fraud charges, a penalty frequently imposed on house church leaders.

The U.S. State Department consistently maintained that Lin’s detention was wrongful. His release was confirmed by the State Department on Monday, but the Chinese government has yet to provide any public comment. Lin has now returned to the United States, where he has reunited with his family after nearly two decades.

Beijing frees US pastor imprisoned in China for almost 20 years
➡️ https://t.co/ezsZNxgHDl pic.twitter.com/1bR1uDuNoX

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) September 16, 2024

Advocacy and Efforts Behind Lin’s Release

Lin’s daughter, Alice, had been pushing for his release. According to The Bring Our Families Home campaign group, Alice noted in April that she had been diagnosed with cancer and her father was old now. “We don’t know how much time either of us has left,” she said.

Organizations like the Dui Hua Foundation, various U.S. officials, and members of Congress worked tirelessly for Lin’s freedom. California Governor Newsom also joined these efforts.

“This was a long time coming. A lot of people worked on this over the years, different administrations,” John Kamm, executive director of Dui Hua Foundation, said of Lin’s release.

During his detention, Lin missed several significant family events, including his daughter’s wedding and the birth of his grandson. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s visit to Beijing occurred just weeks ahead of Lin’s release.

Challenging Conditions and Family Sacrifices

Lin’s time in prison was marked by his efforts to share his faith, even establishing a prayer meeting group behind bars. The Chinese government has increased its crackdown on house churches, particularly under Xi Jinping’s administration. Lin’s original life sentence was later reduced, and he was scheduled for release in 2029 before his recent release.

“No words can express the joy we have,” Alice Lin told POLITICO shortly before she was set to reunite with her father. “We have a lot of time to make up for.”

Continued Advocacy for Detained Americans

Washington continues to advocate for the release of who it argues are wrongfully detained Americans, including individuals such as Kai Li and Mark Swidan. The Chinese government claims that such cases are handled according to law. A congressional commission will soon hold a hearing, focusing on the health and detainment conditions of Lin, Li, Swidan, and Dawn Michelle Hunt.

“I am extremely glad to hear David Lin was freed,” Rep. Michael McCaul said in a social media statement. However, he also added that, “Kai Li and Texan Mark Swidan still remain CCP prisoners — and must be freed now.”

The church community and human rights advocates continue to push for the immediate release of other detained American citizens in China, hoping that Lin’s freedom marks the beginning of more successful efforts to reunite families.