Chinese Pastor John Cao Faces Health Crisis Following Imprisonment

Pastor John Cao, a Chinese Christian leader released from a seven-year prison sentence in March 2024, has been diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer and a spinal tumor. Advocacy groups report that the cancer has spread to his bone marrow, raising urgent concerns regarding his health and his ongoing inability to leave China. Although Cao holds lawful permanent residency in the United States, he has been unable to obtain a passport to reunite with his family. He was originally imprisoned in 2017 for organizing humanitarian work near the China-Burma border, a detention the United Nations later deemed arbitrary.

Cao’s situation follows the recent release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Beijing’s Zion Church. Jin was released in July 2026 after nine months of detention and has since traveled to the United States. His release occurred after the charges against him were dropped following diplomatic discussions between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. While Jin’s case has concluded, advocates note that many other Christians remain under government restrictions or in detention within China.