Update: Pastor released following international attention

29 April 2009

Photo from ChinaAid

Pastor Lou Yuanqi, who was arrested in May on charges of "inciting separatism" (click here for more information), was released at approximately 6:00 p.m. on April 24, according to an April 27 report from ChinaAid. The pastor was freed under the provision of "bailed out waiting for trial," which allows for future arrest and prosecution. It also prevents him or his family from filing an administrative lawsuit against the state to compensate for his illegal imprisonment. Authorities could not find sufficient evidence to continue Pastor Yuanqi's prosecution and indictment. He has returned home and is reportedly in poor heath due to a blood condition and the mistreatment he sustained in prison.

For more updates on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.

China

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 state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: 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.