Christians in China: It’s Time for Pastor John Cao To Come Home

Pressure on Christians and house churches in China continues to worsen. The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) is closely monitoring the situation of Pastor John Cao, who was arrested in 2017 for his humanitarian work and sentenced to seven years in prison. We have already intervened twice on his behalf before the UN, in 2019 and 2020. Today, he remains trapped in China despite having served his full sentence. Held far from his loved ones and facing advanced-stage cancer, his situation demands urgent action.

By CeCe Heil

Just weeks ago, President Trump requested the release of Chinese Pastor Ezra Jin from a Chinese prison. In a gesture of goodwill and humanitarian consideration, China did, in fact, release Pastor Jin and allowed him to fly to the United States. That decision demonstrated President Xi’s willingness to exercise compassion in sensitive cases and to prioritize human dignity. We acknowledge that step with genuine gratitude and thank President Trump and President Xi for their consideration. It is in that same spirit of mercy that we now appeal for Pastor John Cao.

On March 5, 2024, Pastor Cao, a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 1990, walked out of prison after serving every single day of a seven-year sentence in China. His crime? Humanitarian work, building schools and delivering aid to impoverished children along the China-Burma border. During his seven-year sentence, many advocated for his release, including then-Senator Marco Rubio and the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Even though he ultimately served his entire sentence, his release should have marked the beginning of freedom, healing, reunion, and restoration. Unfortunately, due to an administrative law (Article 14 of China’s Passport Law) that allows his passport to be withheld for up to three years after his release, he still remains in China, currently unable to return home to the United States to be reunited with his family.

To make matters worse, Pastor Cao has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Stage 4 cancer is not a slow-moving condition. It is aggressive, life-threatening, and time-sensitive. Treatment options in the United States, such as advanced oncology care, clinical trials, and specialized therapies, are readily available. Unfortunately, Pastor Cao cannot access them while trapped in administrative limbo.

However, this administrative limbo is not a permanent prohibition. It is a temporary administrative delay. Even under the strictest interpretation, the law does not require a three-year wait; it gives authorities discretion to issue a passport after six months. On April 16, 2026, Pastor Cao applied for his passport on humanitarian grounds and has heard nothing. Today, it has been almost two and a half years since Pastor Cao completed his sentence. He poses no threat, and there is no legal, moral, or humanitarian justification for continuing to withhold his passport. Under China’s own legal framework, his passport can and should be issued today.

While Pastor Cao has been held in China, life has moved forward for his family in the United States. His sons have grown into adulthood. His youngest son got married without his father being present. His wife has carried the heavy burden of advocacy and hope. And now, a new grandchild has been born, a child he has never met.

Allowing Pastor Cao to return home would demonstrate that humanitarian considerations still matter in international relations. It would reinforce President Xi’s goodwill. It would show that mercy is possible even in difficult diplomatic climates. And it would affirm that administrative laws, like Article 14, are not meant to be used as tools of indefinite punishment.

China’s release of Pastor Jin showed that humanitarian considerations can co-exist with national policy and stability. Allowing Pastor Cao to return home would reinforce that same message:

• that China values compassion
• that China honors its own legal framework
• that China recognizes the dignity of human life.

Issuing Pastor Cao’s passport would not be a political concession. It would be a humanitarian act consistent with China’s laws and with President Xi’s recent gesture of goodwill. Therefore, we respectfully ask the Chinese authorities to issue Pastor Cao’s passport immediately, in accordance with Article 14, and in recognition of the humanitarian situation.

We call on U.S. officials, human rights organizations, and faith communities to advocate clearly, consistently, and urgently for Pastor Cao’s immediate humanitarian release. This is a moment for governments, advocates, and communities to speak with one voice.

It’s time for Pastor Cao to come home!