On November 8, Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife Xiao Yunfei and her brother Mr. Xiao Gaowen were sentenced to prison for "illegal business practices." They were convicted of printing and distributing thousands of Bibles and other Christian literature. Cai was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 yuan ($22,000 CDN). Xiao Yunfei was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 120,000 yuan and Xiao Gaowen was sentenced to eighteen months and fined 100,000 yuan. Pastor Arrested for Printing Christian Literature
On November 8, Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife Xiao Yunfei and her brother Mr. Xiao Gaowen were sentenced to prison for "illegal business practices." They were convicted of printing and distributing thousands of Bibles and other Christian literature. Cai was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 yuan ($22,000 CDN). Xiao Yunfei was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 120,000 yuan and Xiao Gaowen was sentenced to eighteen months and fined 100,000 yuan. - Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.
Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
- Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)Government type
Communist party-led stateLegal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systemsSources: CIA World Factbook
- Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.
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China News
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18 Church Leaders Formally Arrested
Pastor Jin Mingri (second from right).
Photo: ChinaAidIn October, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities began a coordinated campaign against the Beijing Zion Church and its various campuses, detaining dozens of Christian leaders. (For more details, see our previously published report.)
On November 18th, the Beihai Municipal People's Procuratorate approved the formal arrests of 18 pastors and church staff members, charging them with "illegally using information networks." If convicted, the believers could face up to three years in prison. These formal arrests initiate criminal investigations that will eventually lead to the trial of each apprehended church leader – a process that could take more than a year. -
Pastors Released from Prison
Pastor Zhang Shaojie (left) and
Pastor Xing Wenxiang (far right)
Photo: ChinaAidIn November 2013, Pastor Zhang Shaojie was arrested on charges of fraud and "disrupting public order." Despite multiple appeals, the church leader was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His family reported that, while imprisoned, Pastor Zhang suffered mental and physical mistreatment – including a time of "concentrated education." With great thankfulness, he completed his sentence this month and has since been freed from prison.
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Government Offers Rewards for Information on Christian Activities
A church in China.
Photo: ChinaAidAmid ongoing oppression against believers in China, authorities in Shigunhe Town, Henan Province, have intensified their efforts to suppress Christian activities by targeting unregistered churches. Residents have been urged to report "privately established religious venues" and "illegal religious activities," with incentives offered for submitting evidence such as photos, videos and audio recordings. Individuals providing such information have been offered a cash reward of 500 yuan (approximately $100 CAD).
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Coordinated Arrests Against Church Leaders
Pastor Jin Mingri (second from right).
Photo: ChinaAidUnder the leadership of Pastor Jin Mingri, Beijing Zion Church has grown into one of the largest unregistered churches in China. In addition to having several satellite campuses, the church draws more than 1,000 attendees to its Sunday services each weekend.
