Released Lawyer Under Surveillance


Zhang Kai
Photo: Zhang Kai via ChinaAid

Security officials have been noticed near the home of Christian lawyer Zhang Kai, and they appear determined to put him back behind bars. Zhang was released from detention this March after being held eight months for representing Zhejiang churches in opposition to the government's forceful removal of their crosses. More about the cross removal campaign can be found here.

In February, while still in detention, Zhang participated in a televised interview where he seemed to criticize fellow lawyers who had been arrested during China's recent crackdown on human rights activists. Then, on August 30th, a statement retracting that criticism appeared on Zhang's social media feed. It said he had been forced to smear his fellow lawyers, including Zhou Shifeng, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for "subversion." (A report on Zhang's arrest is available at this page.)

"It was a forced act out of fear and I'm retracting all of my comments," the statement said. Zhang's social media account has since been deleted. Now Public Security Bureau officials are monitoring his home.

Pray that Zhang Kai will know God as his "fortress, rock and deliverer" (Psalm 18:2). May he experience the Lord's perfect peace and protection. Please intercede for all who are affected by this crackdown on China's churches, including the lawyers trying to represent them. Ask God to touch the hearts of the governing officials involved so that they may also seek the truth of the Gospel and receive His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

  • 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.

Select a Region

China News

  • Coordinated Church Raids Continue Throughout China
    A large group of Chengdu Early Rain Church members are kneeling in prayer together.
    Christian worshippers in China.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Recent incidents of police action against churches in China demonstrate the ongoing persecution of believers throughout this Communist nation. These raids are only the latest to occur amid the government's intensifying crackdown on Christianity. To learn more about the governmental opposition experienced by Christians in China, go to our country report.

    Read more...

  • Coordinated Raids on Beijing Church Meetings
    Beijing Zion Church members are gathered together, sitting on chairs.
    One of the Beijing Zion Church congregations.
    Photo: ChinaAid
     

    On the morning of October 20th, multiple branches of the Beijing Zion Church had gathered for their usual worship services when police and religious affairs officials simultaneously forced their way into the meetings. The identities of everyone present were recorded and 12 people, including pastors and church members, were taken into custody.

    Read more...

  • Preacher of Early Rain Church Faces Harassment
    Wu Wuqing
    Preacher Wu Wuqing
    Photo: ChinaAid
     

    Since December 2018, the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, has been subjected to repeated raids and ongoing oppression from Communist Party authorities who seek to shut down the influential unregistered church. Though the church's pastor, Wang Yi, is serving a nine-year prison sentence, members of the church continue to boldly reach out with the Gospel message.

    Read more...

  • Pastor John Cao and Colleague Detained for Conducting Baptisms
    John Cao is baptizing a believer.
    Pastor John Cao baptizing a believer.
    Photo: ChinaAid
     

    On March 4th, Pastor John Cao was released from imprisonment in China after serving a seven-year sentence. Since his release, the pastor has longed to return to the United States, where he holds permanent residency, in order to reunite with his wife and family there. However, the Chinese government has prevented Pastor John from leaving the country by withholding his ID card and passport. (Read more.)

    Read more...

View All

China Videos

 
Persecution Report July 2024 - Hong Kong
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2024: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and China
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Christians Facing the Worst Persecution in 40 Years!
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Communist Government Demands Total Loyalty and Seeks to Rewrite the Bible
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2023: Nigeria, China and India
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Pressure Increases Against Christians
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
More