China Accuses Beijing Zion Church Minister of Fraud, Threatens 10 Years Imprisonment

The Chinese authorities arrested Wang Qing in October last year and threatened her with up to 10 years of imprisonment. Wang, a member of the Beijing Zion Church, was accused of fraud related to the church’s unregistered status. Her husband and daughter, Song Eun, took on her responsibilities during her detention. The four-year-old Song Eun has expressed her feelings through prayer, having not seen her mother since the authorities raided their home in late 2023.

AFP reported that in October 2023, Chinese authorities detained over 20 members of the Zion Church, including Wang’s sister. Song Eun’s father, a preacher, recalled the night seven law-enforcement agents stormed their home in Beijing, detaining him and taking away church materials. The child witnessed the event and was separated from her mother. Wang Xing, the husband, was also taken into custody, and no further information has been provided about his whereabouts.

Despite the Chinese Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom, the government has maintained strict oversight of unregistered religious groups. Many Christians argue that this policy has enabled authorities to scrutinize church activities and teachings. Since the Chinese president’s tenure, censorship of unofficial religious groups has intensified. The Zion Church was forced to close in 2018 but continued operations online during the pandemic.

The church’s founder, Ezra Jin, was also arrested in the same operation. After weeks of legal proceedings, Jin was released in July 2024 and traveled to the United States to reunite with his family. However, shortly after his release, the Chinese authorities charged Wang’s sister and seven other church members with “deception” and “illegal operation.”

Legal documents state that Wang was accused of collecting approximately 660,000 yuan (about $3.13 million) between 2019 and 2025 through fraudulent means, citing the church’s unregistered status. Wang’s defense argued that the funds were part of the church’s biblical teachings. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

The families of those detained continue to seek clarity and justice, while the broader community remains concerned about the treatment of religious groups in China. The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom and state regulation, raising questions about accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)