A Chinese lawyer who helped defend members of Beijing’s Zion Church has fled to Taiwan with her family. Meanwhile, eight church leaders remain detained in southern China, almost 11 months after a nationwide crackdown.
Ruth Wang, also known as Wang Xiahong, arrived in Taiwan on September 2. She is now seeking help to relocate to the United States, Canada or another country.
Wang had already left China for a family holiday in Japan when Chinese officials summoned her to a meeting. Fearing what might happen if she returned, she travelled to Taiwan instead.
Lawyers pressured to abandon Zion Church cases
Wang is a partner at Beijing’s VDoor Law Firm, which has represented Zion Church pastors and members since their arrests in October 2025.
Authorities had ordered the partners to dissolve the firm or face its forced closure. Judicial officials also allegedly instructed its lawyers to stop representing people connected to Zion Church.
The firm’s founder, Zhang Kai, has lost his legal licence and cannot leave China. Other lawyers have received six-month suspensions. Those who tried to join different firms also encountered restrictions, according to Wang.
Chinese public security authorities did not respond to questions about her allegations. Beijing’s justice bureau said it was not authorised to speak with international media.
Taiwan has allowed Wang, her husband and their two children to remain temporarily. However, the island has no formal refugee law and does not normally process asylum applications from mainland Chinese citizens.
No new trial date for the Zion 8
Wang’s departure comes as eight Zion Church pastors and workers remain in detention in Beihai, Guangxi province.
Their trial was scheduled for August 14 to 18. However, defence lawyers protested that they had not received enough time to study more than 300 case files. The proceedings were postponed, and no new date had been announced as of September 9.
The defendants face fraud and illegal-business charges linked to church donations and online religious courses. Prosecutors reportedly claim that six defendants obtained more than 10 million yuan in donations through “illegal religious activities.” Three are accused of receiving more than 2 million yuan from religious course packages.
Zion Church rejects the accusations. It argues that voluntary offerings are not fraud and that providing biblical education should not constitute illegal business activity.
Guilty pleas bring no release
Two defendants, Wang Zhong and Wu Qiuyu, accepted guilt and punishment agreements in hopes of securing suspended sentences. Prosecutors recommended bail, but the court has kept both in custody.
Wang Zhong has serious coronary heart disease. The court also denied him bail when his father became critically ill. His father died on August 18 without seeing him.
Wu has two young children who have lived without either parent since her arrest. According to the church, she accepted the agreement mainly because she hoped to return home and care for them.
Zion Church founder Ezra Jin was released in July following diplomatic intervention from Washington. The continued detention of his colleagues, combined with pressure against their lawyers, shows that his release did not end the wider campaign against the church.
