A U.S. cleric, detained in a Chinese prison for almost two decades, has been granted freedom
David Lin, who turned 68 in 2006, encountered trouble in China after assisting in the construction of an unauthorized church building. He was subsequently sentenced to serve a life term for alleged contract fraud, a charge he strongly disputed.
Three American citizens, including Lin, were identified by the United States State Department as individuals who had been unjustly imprisoned in China. Businessmen Kai Li and Mark Swidan continue to be held captive, with Li facing espionage accusations and Swidan accused of drug-related offenses.
On Sunday, a representative from the US State Department issued a statement, expressing delight over Lin's release from Chinese prison. "He has now returned to the United States, affording him the chance to reconnect with his family after almost two decades apart," the statement read.
The Biden administration has ramped up its diplomatic endeavors to catalyze the release of these three individuals. High-ranking officials from the United States, such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, have repeatedly brought up their cases during their visits to China, emphasizing it as a crucial matter to resolve.
President Joe Biden also addressed this issue with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during their encounter in San Francisco in November, as well as in subsequent telephone conversations, as per White House updates.
During the 1990s, Lin paid regular visits to China and began preaching the Gospel there in 1999, as reported by ChinaAid, a US-based non-profit organization that focuses on Christian human rights.
Lin was apprehended in 2006 and barred from leaving the country due to his involvement in helping an underground "house church" erect a place of worship, according to ChinaAid.
While in incarceration, Lin saw his time as an opportunity to disseminate his faith to his fellow prisoners and established a prayer meeting group, as per ChinaAid.
Many Chinese Christians used to worship in house churches, or informal gatherings apart from state-approved churches. However, the Chinese government has intensified its crackdown on this movement in recent decades as the ruling Communist Party flexes its muscles on religious freedom, particularly under Xi.
In 2009, Lin was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for contract fraud, a charge often levied against leaders of house churches who solicit funds to support their activities, as per the Dui Hua Foundation, a San Francisco-based organization that advocates for human rights detainees in China.
While incarcerated, Lin secured multiple sentence reductions and was anticipated to be released in 2029, according to the Dui Hua Foundation.
Lin's release was greeted with approval by several US politicians, who also demanded the freedom of other Americans currently detained abroad.
Rep. Michael McCaul stated, "I am profoundly pleased to learn about David Lin's release. Nevertheless, Kai Li and Texan Mark Swidan remain imprisoned by the CCP and must be released immediately."
The Chinese government's crackdown on house churches and religious freedom has gained global attention, with countries like the United States advocating for the release of individuals affected. David Lin, an American who was serving a life term in China for alleged contract fraud, was recently released and returned to the United States.
