U.S. Resolution Condemns China's ‘Sinicization of Religion’ Campaign and Demands Release of Pastor Jin Mingri

If you’re busy juggling work and life, you probably don't spend much time thinking about Congressional resolutions on foreign policy. But sometimes, these non-binding statements tell you a lot about where the U.S. is heading diplomatically, and that can eventually impact everything from trade to global stability. This resolution is a classic example: a clear, forceful statement from Congress condemning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for what it calls systematic religious persecution against Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists.

The CCP’s Campaign: Not Just About Politics

This resolution is essentially Congress drawing a line in the sand regarding human rights in China. It specifically condemns the CCP’s campaign to “sinicize religion”—a fancy term for forcing religious organizations to conform entirely to CCP ideology. The text details actions that sound like something out of a history book: authorities burning Bibles, tearing down Christian crosses, replacing images of Jesus or the Virgin Mary with pictures of CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, and censoring religious texts. For any American who values the separation of church and state, these provisions are jarring.

The resolution zeroes in on the detention of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri of Zion Church, noting his detention on October 10, 2025, along with nearly 30 other church members. This is highlighted as the largest coordinated crackdown against an unregistered Christian house church network in decades. The resolution demands the immediate and unconditional release of Pastor Jin and all other religious practitioners being wrongfully detained.

Beyond the Christian Community

While the persecution of Christians is a major focus, the resolution makes it clear that the CCP’s actions span across multiple faiths. It explicitly mentions the ongoing crimes against humanity and genocide against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic groups like Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. These groups continue to face arbitrary imprisonment, forced sterilization, and forced labor. Additionally, the resolution notes the CCP’s efforts to erode the identity of Tibetan Buddhists through the closure of monasteries and the expansion of boarding schools for indoctrination. This isn't just about one faith; it’s about the state attempting to control all spiritual life.

What This Means for U.S. Policy

Resolutions like this don’t create new laws, but they do set the diplomatic stage. This one reaffirms existing U.S. policy under laws like the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016. Why should you care? Because the Magnitsky Act gives the President the authority to impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights violations.

By passing this resolution, Congress is providing political cover and momentum for the executive branch to potentially use those tools. If you’re a U.S. business dealing with Chinese entities, this kind of strong language increases the risk of diplomatic friction or future sanctions that could disrupt supply chains or trade relationships. It signals that the U.S. is prioritizing human rights over smooth economic relations with China, which is a significant factor for anyone relying on global stability and trade. Ultimately, this resolution is the U.S. government saying, in the clearest possible terms, that the CCP’s actions violate international norms and must stop.