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China

• Freedom is More Than Just the Freedom to Make Money

  Canada's best gift to the changing role China is playing in our globe may be the lesson that freedom is more than just the freedom to make money. One wonders what historical Canadian connections to China would think of the recent extensive (sixty-five page) weekend coverage in the Globe and Mail which elevated financial profit ahead of human rights. At the very least, it is an affront to the sacrificial work of Canadian pioneers like Jonathon and Rosalind Goforth who, as Presbyterian missionaries in the late 1800's, dedicated their lives to give the masses in China the right to freedom of religious conscience. They and hundreds of highly educated Canadian missionaries knew they were arriving in a China where national and expatriate Christians were being martyred, yet they went to assist in the educational and medical development of China without compromising their commitment to sharing the Christian message with those whom they served. This tragically ended with the rise of communism in 1949 when most foreign missionaries were forced to leave the country, never to return.

  Their impact, however, did not end. Until recently, Canadian ambassadors to China were typically the children of these missionaries. And the churches the missionaries left behind have flourished. Indeed, it is the rapid growth of the Church that causes Chinese authorities the greatest concern. Since 1949, the number of Chinese Christians has grown approximately 4 million to an estimated 90 million today.

  Religious liberty in today's China is largely restricted to those groups that submit to government control over their operations. Those who resist on the basis of religious conscience may be fined, imprisoned, or sent without trial to camps for "re-education through labour." Since December of 2000, hundreds of unregistered church buildings, temples and other religious meeting places have been torn to the ground. It is still illegal for those under 18 years of old to receive religious instruction.

  Now, as a century ago, Canadians are flocking to China. This time, however, they go as missionaries of commerce. Tragically, however, there is little or no concern for freedom of conscience driving these new missionaries; only the freedom to do business. As in the recent Globe coverage, any reference to human rights was strictly in reference to capitalism and the freedom to make money and lots of it.

  Making profit is, of course not intrinsically wrong. But tragically, Canadians are contributing to the myth that increased trade will inevitably result in greater human rights in restrictive nations like China. Ignored is the fact that this economic revolution in China is actually fueling an increased preoccupation by the Chinese government in maintaining the control over the country. Free expression by the Chinese press has declined in recent years rather than improved. Newspapers, websites, and magazines are closed when their content threatens the government hegemony over the beliefs and values of Chinese society.

  There are some who are brave enough to incur official wrath for the sake of freedom, like Liu Fenggang, Xu Yonghai and Zhang Shengqi, who were caught relaying information on religious rights abuses and convicted on August 6, 2004 with "providing national intelligence to overseas organizations." They were sentenced to 1-3 years in prison for this "crime." Church leaders and evangelists continue to be detained and are often beaten and tortured, sometimes with fatal results. As recently as June 18, a 34-year-old woman was beaten to death in jail by Chinese police after being arrested for handing out Bibles in the southwest Chinese province of Guizhou. According to news reports, Jiang Zongxiu was arrested for "spreading rumours and inciting to disturb social order." Later that day, police informed her family that she had died of a sudden illness. Relatives report that her body was covered with bruises and blood stains.

  As part of The Voice of the Martyrs, a Canadian organization dedicated to assisting persecuted Christian believers around the world, I have seen absolutely no improvement in China's religious liberty policies as a result of economic reforms. Increasingly in the last two years, we have been called upon to assist prisoners of religious conscience with funds for as good a legal defense as is possible in a regime sadly in need of legal reform. Our work of advocacy in China both officially and on the grassroots level has also increased in the new millennium. It is ironic that while some Canadians are benefiting from the economic revival sweeping China, others are forced to invest in defending those whose rights are being stripped from them.

  I am not naively arguing for a complete cessation of business with China until its human rights record improves. But corresponding naivety or deliberate ignorance on the part of Canadian government and business only contributes to the maintenance of China as not only an economic superpower, but a superpower of oppression. There should be, to my mind, at the very least, certain restrictions placed on trade with China. The sale of surveillance equipment and technology that can be used to suppress freedom of speech and religious expression should be curtailed. Companies should diligently (read not simply taking the Chinese government's word for it) prove that goods manufactured in China have not used prisoner labour in their production. Three years ago, The Voice of the Martyrs obtained confidential reports of imprisoned Chinese pastors being forced to work in inhumane conditions, without pay, assembling strings of Christmas lights for export to countries such as Canada. This is especially ironical given the Chinese government's veiled threat in 1992 when its state-run press noted that "the church played an important role in the change" in Eastern Europe and warned, "If China does not want such a scene to be repeated in its land, it must strangle the baby while it is still in the manger."

  The Chinese government must be reminded that the abuse of religious dissidents is not simply an internal Chinese matter, but a violation of international conventions that they have signed, such the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Trade with China must not be pursued at any price. Freedom to make money cannot be allowed to continue to trump other, even more fundamental, rights.

  (The Voice of the Martyrs' multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com, has a number of videos and interviews on China. Login is necessary, but membership is free.)

• Baptist Officials Impressed by Freedom to Worship While Christians Are Arrested

  Last Friday, the Baptist World Alliance issued a press release extolling the freedom to worship seen by a BWA Friendship Tour to China after their General Council meeting in Seoul. While briefly acknowledging that China does not have "the Western understanding of religious freedom which includes witness beyond the walls of the church building," the remainder of the article sings the praises of the China Christian Council and the seminary in Nanjing, which the majority of Chinese Christians see as tools of China's communist regime. In particular, the news release expresses their delight in being able to view in Hong Kong the "Exhibition of the History of the Bible in China" sponsored by the China Christian Council. Glenn Penner, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs commented, "It is tragic to see how these well-meaning people were naively used by the Communist government in an attempt to rehabilitate China's flagging public image as one of the most egregious religious rights violators in the world. One would think that Christians would have learned long ago from experience in the Soviet Union that you just cannot trust what government sanctioned religious organizations show and tell you."

  Bob Fu Photo courtesy of China Aid

  Responding to the news report, Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association and China analyst for The Voice of the Martyrs commented:

  "Ironically when the date of the Exhibition started on August 6, more than 100 house church Christian leaders were arrested in Henan and many more of their relatives were arrested the second day. Three Christian activists were sentenced to three years in prison on the same day as well.

  "Instead of changing its repressive religious policy and bad behavior, the Chinese government and its 'patriotic religious' subordinates try to put blame on the western media and so-called 'anti-China' forces for its negative image. Who creates these images when three crying children were arrested along with their parents pastor Zhang Xiaofang and Xiang Zhi with 100 others were arrested by over 200 military police on August 6, 04 at Mu Xian Zhang Village, Tongxu County, Kaifeng city, Henan province? Who creates these images when at least six relatives of the arrsested received official criminal detention notice on August 7 that their loved ones were 'Evil Cult' leaders? Who creates these images when Ms. Ru Xifeng and Ms. Ma Na, the mother of arrested pastor Xu Feng and the wife of arrested pastor Han Quanshui respectively were taken away from their houses by police on August 8, 2004.

  "It's a good thing to exhibit and auction a piece of Imperial Bible for the SARS epidemic researchers (as was done at the Exhibit). However, questions regarding the record of history should be answered. Before the last Imperial dynasty disappeared, there were recorded over 400 churches in Beijing and Shanghai. Now, there are barely thirty churches left for a population of over 30 million. Where have the rest gone? Where was Bishop KH Ting, Vice President of the National Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference when his close allies and comrades were busy covering-up when SARS erupted and lives were lost in Beijing?

  "It's time to acknowledge this is not about PR campaign but it is about truths and lies."

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

• Catholic Priests, Seminarians Arrested

  On the evening of August 6, eight underground Roman Catholic priests and two seminarians were attending a retreat when twenty police vehicles and a large number of officers raided the remote village of Sujiazhuang in Hebei Province, China. According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, the ten are in custody in the Baoding Security Bureau. The arrested include Huo Junlong and Zhang Zhenquian of the Baoding Diocese and Father Huang of Sujiazhuang Village.

  The President of the Cardinal Kung Foundation, Joseph Kung, said, "While the whole world is in awe at the performance and the spirit of the Olympic Games, the Chinese government, who will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, failed to respect such Olympic spirits and violated its own constitution guaranteeing religious freedom by raiding and jailing these innocent religious personnel."

  Pray for those arrested, as well as Christians throughout China who live under a constant threat of arrest and torture. We encourage Christians to politely voice your concerns to the Chinese authorities. For contact information for Chinese embassies around the world, click here.

  Pastor Allen Yuan

  Pioneer and grandfather of China's underground church movement, Pastor Allen Yuan recently met with VOM representatives in Beijing. Two recent video clips from the 88-year old pastor are available on our multimedia website, PersecutionTV. The first one is a greeting to his brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world and the second is a discussion of Christianity in China. For more information on persecution facing Christians in China,click here.
• Most Arrested in July Raid Released; Court Document Available Online

  Following an international outcry, most of the hundred Christian leaders arrested on July 12 in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region have been released. According to VOM sources, five Christians remain in custody. They are: Mr. Zhao Xinlan, 50; Ms. Li Cuiling, 44; Mr. Wang Chaoyi, 39; Mr. Yang Tian Lu, 39; and Ms. Gao Rui'er, 28.

  On August 11, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the sentencing of three Christians for "illegally soliciting, providing national intelligence to overseas organizations" (click here for details). This week, China Aid was able to obtain a copy of the court documents outlining the reasons for their conviction. To view this document, click here. Chinese readers may wish to click here.

  The Voice of the Martyrs has also received information that, following the arrest of more than one hundred Christians on August 6 (click here for details), other family members have also been arrested. The families of six of those arrested have also received formal notice of the "criminal detention" of their family members. Chinese law allows detentions for up to three years without formal charges.

  Pray for spiritual and physical strength for all of those arrested. Pray that the international community will pressure the Chinese government to respect freedom of religious expression.

  The Voice of the Martyrs has been active through its "Legal Defense Fund" in assisting the families of Chinese prisoners of faith with their legal fees as they seek to fight their unjust sentences. If you would like to help in this ministry, you can go to our secure donation page (click here) and designate your gift to VOM's "Legal Defense Fund." Thank you for your help in this way.

  For more information on the persecution of the Chinese Church,click here.

• Three Christian Leaders Imprisoned Last week, readers of the Persecution and Prayer Alert were asked to pray for Liu Fenggang, Xu Yonghai and Zhang Shengqi, as they were to appear before the Intermediate People's Court of Hangzhou on August 6 (click here for more details). The three were all convicted of "illegally soliciting, providing national intelligence to overseas organizations." Liu has been sentenced to three years, Xu to two years and Zhang to one year.

  According to prosecutors, the three men leaked information about a court case from 2000 to a Christian magazine and overseas organizations. The case involved the appeal of the sentence of Li Boazhi to eighteen months of "re-education through labour" for being a member of an "evil cult." Liu was also found guilty of writing reports on the destruction of house church buildings in several areas of Zhejiang province in 2003. The three intend to appeal their sentence. At last report, they all appeared to be in good health.

  Pray that God will influence the government of China to change their policies of oppression and that the appeal process will be successful. Pray for these three men, as they face their prison sentences, that they will stand firm, whether delivered or not.

  For more information on persecution China, click here.

• Church Leader Retreat Raided

  For the third time in two months, Chinese authorities have rounded up large numbers of house church leaders as they gathered together for mutual encouragement and fellowship. In the latest incident, more than one hundred house church leaders were arrested on August 6 when a leadership retreat was raided. According to China Aid, just as the first day of the two week retreat was beginning, more than two hundred military police, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers and others surrounded the building and began their assault. Though no arrest warrants were presented, everyone in the house was arrested, including the wife and three young children of one of the organizers.
   
  The conference was being held in a home in Tongxu County, Kaifeng City, Henan Province. Those arrested were church leaders from various provinces. One church leader was also arrested on his way to the meeting, carrying literature for those attending. After his arrest, his house was raided and a large quantity of literature was removed.

  Pray for spiritual and emotional endurance for those arrested, as well as their family members. Pray for the strength to stand firm, despite the opposition and torture they may face.

  We encourage Christians to write to the Chinese embassy in their respective country, protesting this action against their citizens. For contact information, click here.

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

• Verdict Expected for Church Leaders; Updates on Previous Reports

  Zhang Shengqi with fiance

  After ten months in detention, a verdict is expected in trials of three prominent house church leaders. According to an August 4 report from China Aid, the defense attorneys and family members have been notified to appear at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 6.

  The charges against Liu Fenggang, Xu Yonghai and Zhang Shengqi stem from a case against Ms.Li Baozhi in 2000. The three are accused of leaking information about the case to an overseas magazine, "Christian Life Quarterly" as well as sending a report to China Aid Association. Liu has also been charged with leaking information on the destruction of several house church buildings. The sentence for leaking "national secrets" can be life imprisonment. For more information on the arrests of these three, click here).

  There have been several other developments in China to report, listed below:

  Xu Yonghai	Lui Fenggang

  China Aid reports that all but eight of the one hundred Christians arrested on July 12 have been released (click here for more details). The eight still in custody are leaders from Ku Er Le and Urumushi. The release was surprising, since thirty had already been shaved in preparation for labour camps. The group leader expresses deep gratitude to those who worked to help secure the release.

  China Aid also reports that Deborah Xu is again under house arrest, after going missing for a few days. She has been told to not leave her residence without permission from the Department of State Security. Xu was arrested on January 25 (click here).

  We ask that you continue to pray for these requests, particularly for the August 6 court appearance. Continue to intercede in prayers as well as contacting government officials on behalf of these and hundreds of other Christians in prison for their faith in China. Click here for contact information.

  For more information on persecution facing Christians in China,click here.

• Over One Hundred Christian Leaders Arrested

  In an incident reminiscent of a similar arrest only weeks before (click here for details), Chinese authorities raided a leadership retreat on July 12, arresting over one hundred church leaders. More than two hundred military police and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers surrounded the "Retreat Center for Railroad Workers" located in Section 5 of Liu Gong Town, Chang Ji Zhou (district) in Xinjiang in Western China, arresting everyone gathered there. No arrest warrants or official identification papers were shown by officers as they carried out the raid.

  The "co-workers meeting" was being held to train and encourage Christian workers in the Xinjiang area, China's western frontier and the home of the mostly-Muslim Uyghur people. The meeting was sponsored by the Ying Shang Church, a large house-church network headquartered in Anhui Province.

  More than thirty are being held in the PSB headquarters near the retreat centre, while the rest were sent back to their home areas where they are being detained in PSB offices. Several have reportedly been sent to the so-called "Transformation and Study Center," where they face interrogation and attempts to force them to renounce their faith. If they refuse, they will be formally charged. According ChinaAid, those from ouside of Xinjiang are facing added problems, since it is illegal to cross a provincial border for religious meetings without government approval.

  Pastor Samuel Lamb

  Among those arrested are Wang Yu Lian, a leader in the Ying Shang Church for more than 20 years. Also arrested was Jin Da, the General Secretary of the government-sanctioned TSPM of Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. Jin is reported to be supportive of unregistered house churches.

  The underground church in China has been facing increasing pressure from government forces in recent weeks. On June 11, a similar conference was raided and all in attendance were arrested, but later released. Compass Direct also reports that on June 13, well-known house church leader, Samuel Lamb, was also arrested along with ten co-workers. They were all interrogated and then released. This is the first time in fourteen years that Chinese authorities have taken such action against Pastor Lamb. You can view a message from Pastor Lamb in the teaching section of VOM's multimedia website.

  Pray for the continued growth and strength of the Chinese Church, despite this increasing pressure. Pray for the spiritual and emotional strength of those facing interrogation and the physical ability to withstand the torture many will likely face. Pray for their families, as they face the emotional turmoil of seeing their loved ones taken from them because of their faith in Jesus.

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

• Beaten to Death for Distributing Bibles

  A 34-year-old woman was beaten to death in jail on June 18 after being arrested for handing out Bibles in the southwest Chinese province of Guizhou. According to news reports, Jiang Zongxiu was official arrested for "spreading rumours and inciting to disturb social order." Later that day, police informed her family that she had died of a sudden illness. Relatives report that her body was covered with bruises and blood stains.

  The incident has sparked protests in Jiang's hometown, as local residents demand an investigation. This is the second report of a Christian being beaten to death by Chinese police in the past two months. On April 26, Gu Xianggao was beaten to death by Public Service Bureau (PSB) officers (click here for details).

  While Bibles are officially allowed in China, only a limited number are published and are not available for public distribution.

  For more information on persecution facing Christians in China,click here. Testimonies and reports on Christianity in China can also be found on VOM's multimedia website at PersecutionTV.

• One Hundred Prisoners Released

  On June 16, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that one hundred leaders of the China Gospel Fellowship had been arrested during a leadership retreat in Wuhan City (click here for more details). We are thankful to report that, according to a July 2 report from Asia Harvest, all of those arrested have been released.

  While these leaders have been released, they have been ordered to return to their home towns where they are required to stay and report to local authorities on regular intervals. Since many of them are evangelists, these travel restrictions are likely to hinder their ongoing ministry.

  Praise God that these ministers have been released. Pray that they will find effective ways of communicating the Gospel despite these restrictions.

  For more information the continuing persecution of Christians in China,click here.