Wang Xiahong, a Chinese lawyer who once defended the Zion Church in Beijing, fled to Taiwan to seek resettlement assistance.

The Associated Press exclusively reported that Wang Xiahong, a Chinese lawyer who once defended the Zion Church, a well-known underground church in Beijing, has fled to Taiwan after the Chinese authorities stepped up pressure on her law firm and colleagues and is seeking assistance in relocating to other countries.

The report pointed out that Ruth Wang is a partner of VDoor Law Firm in Beijing. She has participated in the legal team representing the pastor and other members of Zion Church in Beijing since October 2025.

Wang Xiahong said in a video interview with the Associated Press in Taiwan today that she is facing direct pressure from the Chinese authorities, who told her and her colleagues that they must dissolve their law firms themselves, otherwise they will force them to close.

She said: "If I, as a partner of the firm, do not cooperate to sign the dissolution of the firm, what will happen next? I believe this will definitely seriously affect my career development and other aspects of my life."

Wang Xiahong is now transiting through Taiwan and seeking help for her future.

Zion Church was founded in 2007 by Pastor Ezra Jin. It is one of the largest "underground churches" or "house churches" in China that has not been registered with the authorities.

Sean Long, the pastor of Zion Church in China who is currently studying in the United States, estimated last year that the church has about 5,000 members and has more than 100 meeting points in about 40 cities in China, including apartments, restaurants, and even karaoke venues.

In October last year, 18 members of the Zion Church in China, including Jin Mingri, were arrested, which was one of the largest crackdowns on a single church in China in decades.

After U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May and mentioned Jin Mingri's case to Xi Jinping, Jin Mingri was released two months ago.

Wang Xiahong's predicament shows that although Jin Mingming has been released, China continues to exert pressure on the Zion Church and related people.

Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, a non-profit human rights organization based in the United States, said that Wang Xiahong's case shows that lawyers who dare to defend persecuted Christians and "other prisoners of conscience" are facing tremendous pressure.

Fu Xiqiu called on the Taiwan government to protect Wang Xiahong’s family and ensure that they will not be forcibly repatriated to China. He also called on the United States and other democratic governments to be prepared to assist Taiwan in finding a solution.

After Wang Xiahong and her family arrived at the Taiwan airport, they sought assistance from the competent authorities, hoping that she would be allowed to stay in Taiwan while she was in contact with other countries. Wang Xiahong told The Associated Press that Taiwanese authorities allowed her to stay in Taiwan temporarily but told her that Taiwan could not accept political asylum cases for people from mainland China because of tensions between the Chinese government and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

The Mainland Affairs Council responded via email and stated that although Taiwan does not have a law to deal with political asylum, it has a mechanism to deal with such cases and will handle them in accordance with the relevant mechanisms.

Wang Xiahong also said that she is studying resettlement options, including studying in the United States or Canada as a way for her family to relocate; if this is not possible, they will apply for asylum overseas.

The American Institute in Taiwan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Compiled by: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150904