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China

• Publisher Faces Three-Year Sentence; Pastor Faces Ongoing Harassment

  

  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.

• Prisoner Transferred for ''Concentrated Education''

  

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie had been the leader of the Nanle County Christian Church in Henan. In July 2014, he was sentenced to twelve years in prison for alleged fraud and disrupting social order (read more). At the time, his family was forced to flee the country, arriving in the United States through the assistance of VOMC partner, ChinaAid.

• Release of Pastor An Yankui

  

  In VOMC's previously posted Persecution and Prayer Alert, it was reported that Pastor An Yankui had been arrested on December 30th and sentenced to 15 days in prison. (This particular report may be reviewed here.)

  Due to the nature of China's judicial system, there can be frequent uncertainty regarding the details of an arrested person's sentencing. In this case, however, we are thankful to report that Pastor An was indeed released on January 16th and joyfully greeted outside the detention centre by his family and fellow members of the Xuncheng Reformed Church.

• Church Raided and Pastor Arrested

  

  An Yankui, the pastor of Xuncheng Reformed Church in Taiyuan, was hosting a Bible study in his home on December 30th when approximately three dozen security officers barged in without warning. After restraining those who were attending the study, the officers searched the home and confiscated choir robes, hymnals and Christian books.

• Teachers Forced to Deny Religious Beliefs

   

  

  Authorities in Wenzhou City have recently mandated that all teachers must sign a "Public Pledge Form." The document forbids educators from professing any religious beliefs and also demands that they agree not to engage in any practice or propagation of religion. Along with these enforced requirements, they must also support Marxist socialist principles.

• Early Rain Covenant Church Further Targeted

  

  In December 2018, security forces raided the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan. More than a hundred members were arrested, including Pastor Wang Yi, who has since been sentenced to nine years in prison. The location where the congregation met has been demolished and authorities have officially banned all future gatherings. Despite these measures, members of the church have sought alternate ways to continue meeting for worship and share the message of the Gospel. In response, security forces have continued to intimidate church members.

• Opposition From Many Fronts

  

  Sources in China have indicated that the persecution facing Christians at this time may be the worst since the radical actions of the Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong. Crosses are being torn down around the country and the central government has insisted on obtaining control of churches. A policy of Sinicization has been instituted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in its attempts to eliminate what is perceived as foreign influence and make everything fit under its concept of Chinese culture and beliefs.

• Arrested for "Illegal Business Practices"

  

  A well-known Chinese businesswoman has been arrested and charged with "illegal business practices," an accusation frequently used to stifle the criticism of political dissidents. Geng Xiaonan was detained on September 9th, along with her husband Qin Zhen. According to Geng's lawyer, the charges relate to her involvement in 8,000 illegal publications; a number which has since grown to approximately 200,000 and even includes cooking magazines.

• Advocate in America Faces Death Threats

   

  

  Bob Fu (Fu Xiqiu), the founder and president of ChinaAid, is a ministry partner with The Voice of the Martyrs. In addition to providing support for Christians in China, the organization he established in 2002 highlights human rights abuses in the country.

• Update on John Cao

  

  In a recent letter from prison, Pastor John Cao was able to report that he is in good health and his blood pressure is now normal. While missing family and friends around the world, he asked his mother to pass along greetings, stating that he has not stopped interceding for the health, peace and faith of others.