Pastor Freed After 17 Years in Foreign Detention

September 17, 2024

David Lin, a U.S. pastor detained in China since 2006, has been released and reunited with his family.

At a Glance

China has released U.S. pastor David Lin, who was jailed in 2006.
Lin was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of contract fraud.
The U.S. State Department announced Lin’s release, stating he was wrongfully detained.
Lin has returned to the United States and reunited with his family after nearly 20 years.
Lin’s daughter, Alice, expressed immense joy over his return.

Release from Detention

David Lin, an American pastor imprisoned in China for nearly 20 years, was released last Sunday, as announced by the U.S. State Department. Held since 2006, Lin had been serving a life sentence on charges of contract fraud, a detainment the U.S. government had consistently criticized as unjust.

The State Department heralded the release as a significant diplomatic achievement. A spokesperson said, “We welcome David Lin’s release from prison in the People’s Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years.”

China has freed David Lin, a U.S. pastor who had been in jail since 2006, the State Department said Sunday, marking the release of a man who Washington claims was wrongfully detained.https://t.co/1MReOYCZA0

— William Yang (@WilliamYang120) September 16, 2024

Family Reunited

Lin’s daughter, Alice Lin, expressed her overwhelming joy. “No words can express the joy we have — we have a lot of time to make up for,” she said.

Lin had missed major family milestones during his imprisonment, including his daughter’s wedding and the birth of his grandson. Alice Lin highlighted the precious nature of the time now available to them. “We don’t know how much time either of us has left,” she shared, revealing her own battle with cancer.

🚨U.S. Pastor David Lin is FINALLY Free!
After more than 18 years unlawfully detained in #China, Pastor Lin has come home to be reunited with his family!

Lin’s daughter, Alice Lin, confirmed to POLITICO that the State Department notified her on Saturday that Chinese authorities… pic.twitter.com/WZsygXKEcL

— Hostage Aid Worldwide (@HostageAid) September 15, 2024

Diplomatic Efforts

Lin’s release followed persistent lobbying by U.S. officials and international human rights advocates. His case had been a focal point in U.S.-China diplomatic discussions, notably during a recent visit to Beijing by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. “This was a long time coming. A lot of people worked on this over the years, different administrations,” remarked John Kamm, executive director of Dui Hua Foundation.

U.S. lawmakers had consistently urged Beijing to free Lin. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Tex) voiced his support for the pastor’s release.

I am thrilled to hear American David Lin is released after 17 years of wrongful detainment in Beijing. I look forward to hearing details & to his safe return home.

I stand with the loved ones of other Americans wrongly detained around the world.https://t.co/SsXQxPYGEL

— Young Kim (@RepYoungKim) September 15, 2024

Broader Implications

Lin’s release brings attention to the remaining American detainees in China, such as Kai Li and Mark Swidan, who have both been described as wrongfully detained. Lin’s case underscores the significant effort required for such diplomatic breakthroughs. “Our hope is that David’s release creates the space for additional diplomacy to free Swidan and Li,” said a U.S. official familiar with the negotiations.

Looking ahead, a congressional commission will address the issue of American citizens imprisoned in China, focusing on Lin, Li, and Swidan. This hearing is expected to highlight the harsh conditions and health risks faced by these detainees, raising further questions regarding China’s handling of such sensitive cases.