Court Case Repeatedly Delayed

ChinaAid 15 December 2022

Zhao Weikai, his three children, and wife Li Xin. — Zhao Weikai with his family.
Photo: ChinaAid

In July 2021, Zhao Weikai, a leader of the Xuncheng (Zion) Reformed Church, was arrested after a search of his home revealed materials the Public Security Bureau deemed to be "promoting terrorism and extremism." For more details on the incident, a previously posted report is available here.

In the many months since his arrest, Zhao's court case has encountered numerous delays. In September 2021, the case was sent to judicial authorities of the Lvliang Intermediate People's Court, who claimed they could not process the legal matter due to a backlog. The trial has also faced delays as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. On September 9th of this year, the court finally held a pretrial conference, but no further developments have taken place since. Zhao's wife, Li Xin, is calling on people to pray that the trial would soon be held.

Prayerfully ask God to grant peace, hope and patience to Zhao and Li – in addition to their friends and other family members – as they continue to wait for this long-delayed trial. Pray that Zhao's case will not be further delayed and that justice will prevail, freeing him of all charges. In the meantime, please continue to keep this imprisoned Christian leader in your prayers, as well as the many other believers throughout China who are currently being detained under false allegations because of their faith in 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.

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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.

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