Human Rights Lawyer Faces Life Sentence

Release International, China Aid, Reuters 22 June 2017

China map and flag Chinese Christian lawyer Jiang Tianyong has not been seen since he disappeared last November. Now the members of his family are told he's been charged with trying to overthrow the regime and, therefore, faces a potential life sentence. Jiang's father received an official statement from the local Public Security Bureau in southern Hunan province informing him that Jiang was charged with "subversion of state power" on May 31st.

Jiang went missing as he returned from visiting the family of a fellow lawyer who had been detained during the July 2015 crackdown on "dissidents." It was initially thought that Jiang was held incommunicado in an illegal "black jail" until his family received this recent news from authorities.

Jiang, a fierce advocate for minorities' religious rights and broader human rights, was charged in December with "inciting subversion of state power" and sentenced to spend time in an unofficial "black jail." However, his family was informed that he is presently being held at Changsha No. 1 Detention Centre -- the first official confirmation of his whereabouts in six months. A previous report announcing China's July 2015 crackdown on religious liberty may be reviewed here.

Please solemnly petition the Lord for the peace and perseverance of Jiang as he awaits trial. May the Holy Spirit fill Jiang afresh, giving him the power and strength he needs to endure. Ask that God's presence and peace will also be upon Jiang's wife, Jin Bianling, and their daughter, who have fled the country to avoid further harassment while awaiting updates on his case. In addition to praying for the release of Jiang, let's be mindful to intercede on behalf of all the other human rights lawyers and activists who have been imprisoned since the 2015 crackdown.

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.