Publisher Faces Three-Year Sentence; Pastor Faces Ongoing Harassment

Huang Yizi - Photo: ChinaAid www.chinaaid.org
Huang Yizi
Photo: ChinaAid

Geng Xiaonan, a well-known Chinese businesswoman who was charged with "illegal business practices," has been sentenced to three years in prison. Geng and her husband Qin Zhen were founders of an independent publishing house and have also worked in television and film. As previously reported in October 2020 (see more here), Geng had publicly expressed her concerns over the injustices and abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party.

In an attempt to lessen the punishment of her husband and staff, Geng has assumed all responsibility and pled guilty. She requested of the court, "I would really appreciate it if the court would be lenient on them and target all of the sentencing burden on me alone." Supporters were prevented from attending the hearing.

Huang Yizi is a Wenzhou pastor who twice before has been imprisoned, including a five-month term in which he was subjected to torture in a "black jail" (see this report). Huang has recently requested prayer because of ongoing persecution, stating that he is continually being monitored and randomly summoned or forcibly taken in for interrogation. He is uncertain when he may be imprisoned again for the third time.

Despite the intensifying harassment and uncertainty, Pastor Huang has continued to preach online. However, government Internet monitors have recently shut down his livestream sermons.

Prayerfully lift up Geng and the many other Christians facing imprisonment for refusing to submit to the mounting pressures being forced on them by the dictates of the Chinese Communist Party. Pray for the protection of these believers, and all those affiliated with various ministries in China. As for Christians enduring surveillance and harassment, such as Pastor Huang, pray that they will draw even nearer to the Lord by seeking His strength, wisdom, peace and hopeful release from oppression. Also remember the concerned families of each Christian who is suffering for their faith in prison --- many of whom are unable to visit their loved ones --- asking God to continually encourage and sustain them.

  • 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.

China News

  • Bible Study Meeting Raided in Inner Mongolia
    Believers are singing hymns at the Xuan'en Church.
    Xuan'en Church
    Photo: ChinaAid

    On the morning of July 17th, several Christians from the Xuan'en Church in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, were gathered for a Bible study when the meeting was suddenly interrupted by a raid. The intruding officials, who were sent by multiple agencies, recorded the names and phone numbers of the attending Christians and ordered them to end the meeting – based on the grounds that they are not part of the government-sanctioned Three-Self church. Since this was considered a first offence, the believers were issued a warning.