An attorney was forced to leave China after representing Beijing’s Zion Church. Authorities told her and her colleagues they should dissolve their firm—or else.
by Hu Zimo
A legal defender of one of China’s most influential underground churches describes a rapid escalation of pressure that pushed her out of the country, revealing how the campaign against the Zion Church continues even after the release of its well‑known pastor.
Ruth Wang, a partner at VDoor Law Firm, left China after authorities demanded that she and her colleagues dissolve their firm. She had represented pastors and members of the Zion Church since October 2025, and her account of the events—shared in an interview with the Associated Press—offers a rare glimpse into the consequences faced by those who defend religious communities targeted by the state.
The Zion Church became a major target last year, when eighteen of its members, including founder pastor Ezra Jin, were arrested in what observers regard as one of the largest actions against a single Christian congregation in decades. Jin regained his freedom two months ago, after U.S. President Donald Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping during a meeting in May. Wang explained that the pressure on her firm did not diminish after Jin’s release, and that she was told to sign documents dissolving the firm. She feared that refusing would damage her professional future and affect her family.
Her mentor and Vdoor’s founder, Zhang Kai, lost his license and was prevented from leaving China. Other lawyers at the firm were suspended for six months. Judicial authorities instructed them to abandon cases connected to the Zion Church and leave the firm, and those who tried to move to other firms encountered restrictions. The message was that defending the Zion Church had become professionally dangerous.
Wang was on vacation in Japan with her family when Chinese authorities called her and asked her to meet them in person. She replied that she was abroad and then decided not to return to Beijing. She traveled to Taiwan, where she asked local authorities for temporary permission to stay while seeking options abroad. Taiwan allowed her to remain on the island for the moment, although officials reminded her that they cannot accept political asylum cases from mainland China.
She is now exploring resettlement options, including studying in the United States or Canada as a path for her family to relocate. If this proves impossible, she plans to apply for asylum in another country. She described her situation as uncertain, with no assurance that her family will be able to rebuild their lives.
In her Associated Press interview, Wang referred to the biblical story of Ruth, who received help from Boaz after arriving in a new land. She expressed hope that someone will similarly assist her as she seeks safety and a future outside China.
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
