I’m Free. Now Pray for China by Ezra Jin via @WSJopinion 【金明日牧师获释后首次接受华尔街日报采访（后附中文）/ Rev. Mingri (Ezra) Jin’s first interview with WSJ after his release】 Pastor Ezra Jin: I’m Free. Now Pray for China Eight members of the church I founded are still behind bars. By Ezra Jin July 8, 2026 at 5:02 pm ET I spent 266 days in a Chinese prison after being detained along with 28 other leaders and members of Zion Church in October. When guards ushered me into a van last Friday, I thought they were taking me to my trial. I expected a long sentence for founding and leading Zion, one of China’s underground, or house, churches. But hours later, I was free. No negotiations, no confession, all charges dropped. On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, I was reunited with the family I hadn’t seen in eight years, ever since my wife and children came to the U.S. to get out of harm’s way. My wife, like me, is a Chinese national, but our children are all U.S. citizens. It was disorienting to go from a crowded prison cell to watching Fourth of July fireworks with my family over In-N-Out burgers. My gratitude goes first to President Trump, whose diplomacy secured my release, as well as to the members of Congress and other U.S. officials who worked on my behalf. I have been overwhelmed by the global response to the arrests of our congregation. Prominent voices from across the political spectrum in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe have spoken out about our plight. Other congregations in China showed extraordinary bravery in coming to our aid. Thousands of people—from Argentina to India and Nigeria to Korea—prayed for us. Even in the bleakest moments, we took great comfort in their support. Eight of my fellow church members, along with many other church leaders and prisoners of conscience, remain in prison. These men and women, some of the most caring people I have met, are confined in cramped cells and sleep on floor mats in blistering heat. Many leave behind young families. I won’t rest until they see freedom. When I started Zion Church in 2007, my aim was simple: to share the immeasurable love of God with those around me. As I wrote from prison, “We do not oppose dialogue with the government, nor do we confront it, but rather emphasize obedience to those in authority.” At the same time we hold fast to our beliefs, recognizing Jesus Christ as the sole head of our church. China’s political authorities have no reason to fear the tens of millions in China who worship in unregistered congregations. These Christians love their nation. They only want to worship God peacefully according to the Bible and to serve others, especially the poor, the disabled and the elderly. Zion Church is proud to have been among the first responders after the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake and to have hosted major blood drives in Beijing. My earnest prayer is that my release can mark the beginning of a new chapter for people of faith in China. Freedom of religion is a universal right promised in the Chinese Constitution. I hope that all our church members are freed and that China becomes a place where all people can freely worship. A first step would be to legalize house churches alongside state-run churches in the same way China has legalized private industry alongside state-owned enterprises. Such a future might seem impossibly remote, but so did my release. I couldn’t be more thankful, and pray that others still imprisoned will experience this same freedom soon. Mine is a God of miracles, and he constantly surprises me. 金明日牧师：我已重获自由，请为中国祈祷 我所创立的教会中，仍有八名成员身陷囹圄。 作者：金明日 (Ezra Jin) 2026年7月8日，美东时间下午5:02 去年10月，我与锡安教会（Zion Church）的其他28名领袖及成员一同被拘留，随后在中国监狱度过了266个日日夜夜。上周五，当看守将我带上一辆面包车时，我以为是要送我去受审。我预料自己会因创立并领导锡安教会——中国众多地下教会（或称“家庭教会”）之一——而被判重刑。然而，仅仅几个小时后，我就重获了自由。没有谈判，没有认罪，所有指控均被撤销。 在美国建国250周年纪念日前夕，我与阔别八年的家人团聚了；当年，为了躲避迫害，我的妻子和孩子们前往了美国。和我也一样，我的妻子是中国公民，但我们的孩子们全都是美国公民。 从拥挤的牢房一下子转变为与家人一边享用In-N-Out汉堡、一边观看独立日烟花，这种巨大的反差让我感到有些恍惚。我首先要感谢特朗普总统，是他的外交努力促成了我的获释；同时，我也要感谢那些为我奔走呼吁的国会议员及其他美国官员。 对于全球各界就我们教会成员被捕一事所作出的强烈反响，我深感震撼与感动。来自美国、英国及欧洲政坛各界的重要人士纷纷为我们的处境仗义执言。中国国内的其他教会也展现出了非凡的勇气，向我们伸出了援手。成千上万的人——从阿根廷到印度，从尼日利亚到韩国——都在为我们祈祷。即便在最黑暗的时刻，他们的支持也给予了我们极大的慰藉。 我的八位教会同工，以及许多其他教会领袖和良心犯，至今仍被关押在狱中。这些人是我所见过的最充满爱心的人，如今却被禁锢在狭窄的牢房里，在酷热难耐的环境下睡在地垫上。他们许多人家中都有年幼的孩子。在他们重获自由之前，我绝不会停下脚步。 2008年我创办锡安教会时，初衷很简单：与周围的人分享神那无限的爱。正如我在狱中所写：“我们既不反对与政府对话，也不与政府对抗，而是强调顺服掌权者。”与此同时，我们坚守信仰，认耶稣基督为教会唯一的元首。 中国当局没有理由惧怕国内数千万在非登记聚会点敬拜的信徒。这些基督徒热爱自己的国家。他们唯一的愿望，就是按照《圣经》的教导平安地敬拜神，并服务他人——特别是贫困者、残障人士和长者。锡安教会引以为豪的是，在2008年四川大地震发生后，我们是最早参与救援的团体之一，并且在北京组织过大型无偿献血活动。 我恳切祈祷，我的获释能成为中国信徒开启新篇章的起点。宗教自由是《中国宪法》所承诺的一项普世权利。我希望教会所有成员都能获得自由，也希望中国成为一个所有人都能自由敬拜的地方。迈出这一步的途径之一，是将家庭教会与官方教会一样实现合法化，就像中国在国有企业之外允许私营企业合法化那样。 这样的未来或许看似遥不可及，但我的获释也是如此，却成为现实。我心中充满感恩，并祈祷其他仍在狱中的人也能早日获得同样的自由。我所信奉的是行神迹的神，祂总是不断给我带来惊喜。#锡安109教案#

《吻我之前，先把灯关了》 "Turn Off the Lights Before You Kiss Me" 据专家研究分析，恐怖片和爱情动作片，好莱坞惊险片都能刺激大脑分泌多巴胺，我现在把它们都放在一起了，那是不是应该双倍快乐来了。 According to expert research and analysis, horror movies, romantic action films, and Hollywood thrillers can all stimulate the brain to release dopamine. Since I’ve combined them all together, does that mean I’m in for a double dose of happiness? grok imagine prompt: "Turn Off the Lights Before You Kiss Me" 15 seconds, 9:16 vertical format, first-person perspective, recorded on a smartphone, single continuous take. [Realistic Cinematography] The footage is captured entirely by the rear-facing camera of the smartphone held by the male protagonist; no other cameras are involved. The male protagonist holds the phone in his right hand, using the primary (1×) rear lens—providing a field of view equivalent to approximately 26mm—at 1080p resolution and 30fps. The device is positioned between his chest and chin (at a height of roughly 1.45 meters), aimed toward a woman standing in the bathroom doorway. His left hand occasionally enters the frame to operate the light switch. The smartphone itself—its body, back panel, camera module, screen, or flash—is never visible in the shot. Only the light cast by the phone onto the subject, her clothing, and the walls can be seen. There are no mirrors present; this is not a mirror-based selfie. The footage retains the raw, authentic texture of smartphone video—no beauty filters, color grading, or cinematic effects. Skin details such as pores, fine beads of sweat, stray hairs, and natural skin-tone variations are visible. There is slight digital noise in the shadows, and brief motion blur occurs during rapid hand movements or moments of physical instability. Subtle camera shake stems from the holder’s breathing and wrist movements. Changes in proximity are achieved through actual physical steps or the subject pulling the holder closer; there is no digital zooming, automated panning, reverse-angle cutting, or slow motion. The focus remains primarily on the woman’s face, with only momentary hesitation when the distance shifts abruptly—there is no persistent out-of-focus effect. [Characters and Attire] The woman in the doorway (@80130fc6-f744-4f61-9faf-f630a1eb8638) is 28 years old. Her appearance—including her black hair styled in an updo, purple floral hair accessory, earrings, long-sleeved Japanese-style (wafuku) garment in purple (@d7529a1b-8cdb-41e5-816e-c59aa4051803), and dark-colored *obi* (sash)—is consistent with the video uploaded by the user. Her clothing remains intact; the neckline stays in place, and she does not scratch her own chest or tug at her garments. Leaning slightly against the doorframe, she keeps her shoulders relaxed and lowered, her neck elongated, and her legs positioned one in front of the other—creating a natural, subtle S-curve in her posture. She gazes toward the male protagonist with half-lidded eyes and a faint, inviting smile, as if beckoning him closer. From the very beginning, her right hand holds a small pinch of fabric from the male protagonist’s left cuff. This point of contact—her right hand gripping his left cuff—is situated in the lower-left portion of the frame and must remain visible. Because she is only holding the fabric rather than clamping down on his wrist, he retains the freedom to lift his left hand and operate the light switch. Initially, her left hand is concealed between her body and the doorframe. The grayish-white fingers that appear later belong to this same hand; the creature possesses only two hands throughout the entire sequence. The real girlfriend is located in the hallway behind the male protagonist. She is present only as a voice calling out from off-screen; she is never shown on camera, and no second female face appears. 【Environment and Space】 The scene takes place at the entrance to a bathroom in an old apartment building late at night. The setting—featuring aged off-white tiles, a worn wooden doorframe, a standard wall-mounted light switch, and a towel hanging inside the bathroom—conveys the lived-in, weathered feel of an old residence, rather than a ruin. The woman is positioned slightly to the right of the frame’s center, with the open bathroom door behind her. The light switch is located on the wall to the left, approximately thirty centimeters from the male protagonist’s left hand. It is visible from the start and does not suddenly appear later. Behind the male protagonist lies a hallway. The bathroom door remains open inward; the camera angle stays consistent throughout, the door does not move on its own, and the room’s layout remains unchanged. At the start, the woman’s face is about sixty centimeters from the camera. After she gives a gentle tug on his cuff, the male protagonist shifts forward slightly, reducing the distance to approximately forty-five centimeters. The distance closes further only during the final dragging motion. 【Ambient Lighting】 At the beginning, a warm-white overhead light in the bathroom is on, illuminating the woman’s head, shoulders, and the doorway, while the hallway remains dim. The LED flash on the back of the smartphone is illuminated from the very first frame; it remains on and in the same position throughout the entire 15-second duration. Up close, the face is illuminated by the harsh, direct light of a standard mobile phone; small shadows form beside the nose and under the chin, and there are localized highlights on the fabric of the clothing—no artificial "beauty" fill lighting is applied. The only light the male lead turns off is the overhead bathroom light. Once the overhead light is extinguished, the bathroom background remains dim and does not brighten on its own. The phone’s light continues to illuminate her face and the hand gripping the sleeve cuff. The camera’s auto-exposure adjusts only slightly, failing to brighten the dark bathroom to a daylight-like state. When the "mask" (the outer layer of the face) is peeled back, it is illuminated by the same mobile phone light as the rest of the face. The space deep behind the shell remains dark, and the exposed eyeball shows only natural, subtle reflections—it does not emit its own light. [The "False Face" Effect] The horror stems from a thin, pliable, artificial layer being peeled back from within—it is not a case of natural skin being torn or a mouth stretching into an impossible, elongated shape. A grayish-white hand—with only two or three fingertips visible—emerges from the corner of her mouth, hooks onto the lower edge of the "mask," and peels half of the face upward and to the side. The "mask" has a distinct thickness and flexibility; the cheek and part of the area beside the nose fold back, rather than stretching into long, tubular, funnel-like, or tongue-like shapes. Behind the peeled-back section lies a deep, dark cavity containing a normal-sized human eye, which turns to look directly at the camera. The other half of the woman’s face remains intact, establishing the premise that there is an artificial layer on the outside, with something else concealed beneath it. There is no blood, gore, exposed muscle, black ooze, or liquid-like melting effect. The grayish hand does not reach in from off-screen; its fingertips must first emerge from within the corner of the mouth. [Strict 15-Second Timeline] 0–4 Seconds | Gripping the sleeve, an invitation to draw closer. The woman leans sideways against the doorframe, looking first into the male lead’s eyes, then glancing briefly toward the light switch on the left. With her right hand, she grasps the male lead’s left sleeve cuff—positioned at the bottom-left of the frame—and gives it a gentle tug toward herself. The fabric of the cuff pulls taut, prompting the male lead to take a small step forward; the camera moves in tandem with his approach. She lifts her chin slightly and says in a low voice: “The lights are too bright.” Her tone is intimate, with a suppressed smile playing at the corners of her mouth. There is no sign of a monstrous visage, nor does she glance toward her own mouth beforehand. Her right hand continues to hold the same spot on his sleeve; she does not shift her grip to his lapel. 4–7 seconds | Flipping the switch; the background darkens The male protagonist reaches out with his left hand toward a light switch already visible on the left side of the frame. She keeps her grip on his left sleeve, causing her right arm to extend naturally as he moves—she neither lets go nor suffers any "clipping" (graphical glitching). His fingertips press the switch, producing a distinct *click*. The bathroom overhead light goes out, and the tiles, towels, and the space behind the woman grow noticeably darker. Her face remains illuminated by the fill light from a mobile phone. The male protagonist’s left hand pulls away from the switch and returns to the space between them. The camera tilts slightly with the movement, then steadies. 7–9 seconds | A warning from behind From about two meters behind the camera, the man’s actual girlfriend calls out urgently, in an identical tone: “Don’t turn off the light!” The woman in front of him says nothing; her lip movements do not correspond to this warning. As the male protagonist begins to turn, the camera shifts slightly to the side—but the hand gripping his sleeve suddenly tightens, holding him in place. Her smile vanishes. Her eyes glance past the camera toward the space behind the man, then return to the lens. Her knuckles whiten as she grips the sleeve, causing deeper creases to form in the fabric. 9–12 seconds | Half of her face is peeled back from within Two or three grayish-white fingertips emerge from the inner corner of her mouth. The fingertips hook onto the lower edge of the "shell" of her face, slowly peeling it upward and outward. The corner of her mouth and her cheek—forming a single, thin, pliable layer—fold back together; the lips do not stretch or elongate independently. Half of the artificial face is lifted away, revealing an eye in the darkness beneath that shifts to look directly at the camera. The intact half of her face remains visible alongside the eye revealed from within. For a brief moment, the camera steadies, allowing at least half a second to take in the details: Fingers emerge from within the face; the "shell" of the face begins to fold back, revealing another eye underneath. The woman’s right hand maintains a firm grip on the man’s left cuff—she cannot let go, even as she peels back the face. The only sounds are the dry, grating friction of the mask and the man’s sudden, sharp intake of breath. 12–15 seconds | The grip shifts into a forceful tug. The man immediately grabs the woman’s right wrist—the one holding his cuff—and tries to pry it away. The point of contact is clearly visible; he does not reach for the grey, peeling fingers. The creature’s right arm suddenly retracts toward the bathroom, yanking the cuff hard. The sequence must be clear: The cuff goes taut → the man’s left arm is pulled straight → his body stumbles forward → the camera (held in his right hand) is dragged closer. The camera moves from about 45 centimeters away to roughly 15 centimeters, accompanied by a sudden dip and tilt—this is not a smooth, controlled zoom. The partially peeled-back face, the unblinking eye beneath, and the greyish-white fingers now dominate the frame. The other half of the face remains "normal," preserving its original appearance. In the final half-second, the man collides with the wooden doorframe, producing a dull thud. The camera jerks to the side; the edge of the facial shell sweeps across the lens, partially obscuring the view. The recording ends abruptly while the struggle is still underway. No fade to black, no additional dialogue, and no new creatures appear. [Ambient Audio] Captured via a mobile phone microphone: close-range speech, the friction of fabric at the cuff, the sound of a light switch, the hum of a bathroom exhaust fan, the distant ambient noise of the city, heavy breathing, and the final impact against the doorframe. The exhaust fan continues to run independently; it does not stop when the overhead light is switched off. The background sounds maintain a sense of spatial distance—they are not suddenly muted for the sake of a "jump scare." The opening line, "The light is too bright," comes from the woman in front of him. The mid-sequence line, "Don't turn off the light," clearly originates from behind the man; the woman in front does not move her lips. There is no further dialogue—no sinister laughter, voice-over narration, heartbeat sound effects, or pre-recorded horror audio cues. [Mandatory Continuity] The only camera is the mobile phone through which the audience is viewing the scene; the phone itself is never visible within the frame, nor is there any additional camera operator. The male protagonist holds the phone in his right hand; he uses his left hand to flip the light switch, then immediately grabs the monster’s right wrist. The monster’s right hand remains firmly gripping the same spot on the male protagonist’s left cuff; its left hand lifts a portion of the "false face" from underneath. Do not generate a third hand, swap left and right hands, or have the monster’s hand shift its grip from the cuff to the female protagonist’s own clothing. Once the bathroom light is turned off, it remains off; the mobile phone’s light source (fill light) stays on. The positions of the door and the light switch remain fixed. Changes in distance must be achieved through physical movement (stepping or dragging); do not use digital zoom. The "false face" should be lifted, not stretched like rubber; do not generate long tongues, tubular mouths, an elongated jaw, or a melting face.

看得我泪流满面😭🥹💔就凭这一点，难道中国人还能再吃狗肉吗？ A Belated Tribute to China’s Wenchuan Earthquake Rescue Dogs. This is a tribute that comes years too late. On October 2, 2021, the last search-and-rescue dog that had served in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, Bingjie, passed away. With his death, all 67 rescue dogs that answered the call during one of China’s darkest disasters had completed their final roll call. This isn’t about whether you love dogs or keep pets. It’s about heroes. Back in 2008, when mountains collapsed and entire cities were reduced to rubble, these dogs charged into places no human could safely enter. At a single whistle from their handlers, they disappeared into twisted steel, shattered glass, and unstable concrete without hesitation. Their paws were ripped apart by broken rebar and jagged debris. They bled with every step. Many worked until the pads of their feet were raw and infected. Yet the moment they caught even the faintest scent of life beneath the ruins, they refused to leave. They barked. They dug. They kept digging. For them, every signal they gave meant another chance for someone to survive. That wasn’t simply bravery. It was something even purer. A complete trust in the person who guided them. A trust so absolute that it stood above fear itself. Bingjie was barely a year old when he was deployed to Wenchuan. Still little more than a puppy, he clawed through what had become a living hell and helped save 13 lives. The first little girl he rescued is now a university graduate. The future she was able to live began with a wet black nose finding her in the darkness… and a pair of tiny paws digging until they nearly gave out. If she remembers that moment, then she remembers who reached her first. No matter how you measure it, humanity owes these dogs a debt that can never truly be repaid. There was also Shenhu, another legendary rescue dog. By the time he retired in 2019, nearly fourteen years old, he had helped save 15 lives. His handler couldn’t bear to part with him, so he brought Shenhu home and stayed by his side until the very end. Today, a statue stands in his honor. But the truth is… Dogs don’t understand medals. They don’t understand monuments. They don’t care about titles or glory. A gentle pat on the head. A favorite tennis ball. A few words of praise from the person they trust. To them, that was worth risking everything. If called again, they would have done it all over without a second thought. People often speak of loyalty. These dogs never spoke a word. They carved loyalty into their bones. Now they have all returned to the place people lovingly call the Rainbow Bridge. Perhaps they’re together again, sniffing one another, wagging their tails, healthy and full of life, just as they were back then. To the silent heroes who gave everything so that strangers could have another tomorrow… Thank you. You will never be forgotten.

《无人着装 / Worn by No One》 币安九周年线上装置艺术展 An online installation exhibition for Binance's 9th Anniversary 这是一批被重新观看的币安官方周边。帽衫、球衣、围巾、包袋、鞋帽、运动装备……它们被从日常使用中抽离，置于白色展厅、绳索、冰、尘土、树脂与光线之间，成为一组关于物件、空间与关系的装置。 This exhibition reimagines official Binance merchandise. Hoodies, jerseys, scarves, bags, caps, shoes, and sports gear are removed from everyday use and placed into white spaces, ropes, ice, dust, resin, and light—becoming installations that invite a different way of seeing. 我们的大部分生活已经发生在线上。朋友、对话、工作、身份与信任，都停留在网页、软件、账户和屏幕之间。也因此，这些真实存在的衣服、包袋、帽子和道具，反而提醒我：身体、触感、空间，以及人与人的连接，依然值得被重新看见。 Today, much of our lives unfold online. As more of our relationships, identities, and memories move into digital spaces, these physical objects begin to carry a different meaning. They remind us that touch, space, and human presence still matter. 如果其中某一幅让你感到一点错愕、惊讶、不适、快乐，或者只是停留片刻，那也许就是它的价值。 If even one piece leaves you feeling surprised, unsettled, amused, or simply makes you pause for a moment, then perhaps it has already fulfilled its purpose. 线上展厅已上线 · The exhibition is now live 👉👉👉 @binance @binancezh @heyibinance @cz_binance

不用找什么诗和远方，踩在花溪的水里，就已经在风景里了。 There's no need to search for poetry or distant places. Stepping on the water of Huaxi, you're already in the scenery.