Ted Cruz spearheads Senate effort to oppose China’s crackdown on Christian persecution

Cruz Advocates for Christians in China

Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is spearheading an initiative in the Senate aimed at holding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its ongoing oppression of Christians.

“The CCP is currently undergoing yet another extensive crackdown on Christians, particularly targeting Pastor Jin and the Zion Church. They seem to fear faith more than almost anything else,” Cruz stated in a message to Fox News Digital. “The United States possesses significant resources to protect individuals facing persecution and violence, and we should utilize these until China releases members of the Church of Zion.”

The proposed resolution seeks to “denounce the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Christians and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to promoting religious freedom and tolerance worldwide.” It requests that the CCP uphold the right to religious freedom and cease all acts of violence and discrimination against religious minorities.

Cruz’s resolution underscores that “the actions of the CCP represent the largest systematic nationwide crackdown on urban house churches for over four decades.” Additionally, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified China as a country of “particular religious freedom concern” annually since 1998.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia commented, “The CCP’s repression campaign against Christians, including assaults on churches like Zion Church, violates fundamental rights to religious freedom. I’m proud to support this resolution, which sends a strong message: religion is not a crime. The United States condemns the recent troubling arrests of church leaders by CCP authorities.”

Recently, Chinese officials detained several Christian leaders, including Pastor Jin Minli, who leads one of the largest underground evangelical churches in the country. Remarkably, he is also a U.S. citizen.

Grace Jin, Pastor Jin’s daughter, expressed gratitude for Cruz’s efforts. “His actions show the world is aware of how the Chinese government unjustly imprisons pastors and church leaders simply for practicing their faith peacefully. We appreciate the support and solidarity from leaders here and abroad,” she shared with Fox News Digital.

On October 11, Grace confirmed that her father was taken by authorities. Reports indicated approximately 30 pastors and staff members from Zion Church are currently detained or missing across multiple cities, including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.