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Pastor Zhang Mingxuan ‘Bike’ Visits Three Released Chinese Brothers in Henan Province, China

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

HENAN, CHINA (ANS) – ChinaAid has revealed that the President of Chinese House Church Alliance Pastor Zhang Mingxuan “Bike” and his wife visited three house church Christians who were recently released from prison in Zhoukou Village, Taikang of Henan Province, after being held for over one year.

Pastor Zhang (center) spent the day encouraging Shu Wenxiang (left) and Tang Houyong (right), after their release from one year in prison (Photo: ChinaAid)

“As Pastor Zhang greeted the three Christian brothers one by one, he sought to encourage them, and ascertain the condition of their families,” said a spokesperson for ChinaAid.

“Finding that Shu Wenxiang and Tang Houyong were filled with peace and joy, Pastor Zhang said pleasantly, ‘Praise the Lord. You had suffered from prison but you have experienced the presence of God. The bodies of Christ from all around the world have been praying for you.’”

ChinaAid said that Pastor Zhang was very concerned about Brother Shu Wenxiang’s health and he told him, “You don’t look well; I am sorry that you and your wife have suffered so much.”

He also asked concernedly about Brother Xie Zhengqi’s health and about his family.

Pastor Zhang expressed deep concern for Brother Xie Zhengqi, who is 64-years-old.

Pastor Zhang encouraged them by saying, “Brother Tang was released on October 21st, Brother Shu was released on November 1st, and Brother Xie went home on November 11th. Don’t you see, all these dates contain 1st. It’s a new beginning! Let us rely on the Lord and follow Him. Let us unite in Him for the furtherance of the Gospel.”

The ChinaAid spokesperson went on to say that on December 3rd, 2008, Xie Zhengqi, Shu Wenxiang and Tang Houyong were arrested by members of the Bureau of Public Safety in Taikang. On December 16th, they were sentenced to one-year Re-education through Labor. They authorized Ms. Wu Chenglian to be their litigating representative and to file their administrative appeal. However, the Zhoukou Court rejected the appeal, confining the three Christians to a very long year of suffering.

In early June of 2009, Xie’s wife was diagnosed with heart disease. At that time, their son was away at college. Nobody was at home to take care of their farmland. Xie’s daughter and son-in-law had to quit their jobs in the city to come home and reap the wheat in the field.

Shu Wenxiang’s father turned 79-years-old while he was in prison. Shu’s wife was recovering from hysterectomy and was still weak. With no one to tend to their crops, the Shu’s garden went barren, eliminating their sole form of income. The whole family suffered from this financial crisis.
Tang Houyong’s wife continued to serve at a church in Xinyang City. Tang’s other family members live in the rural area as well. At one time, his family had to try and make ends meet with no income.

“Pastor Zhang made personal efforts to help the families and protest on the prisoners’ behalf while they were separated from their families,” said the ChinaAid spokesperson. “On August 16th, 2009, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan appealed for them in his fourth open letter to President Hu Jintao, but it had no avail.”

The spokesperson said that as he embraced the men at their meeting, Pastor Zhang gave thanks to the Lord for the trials they had experienced and encouraged them to serve the Lord with faith.

He told them, “The mission of Chinese House Church Alliance is to unite, help and encourage the bodies of Christ. The Lord protected you from being beaten in prison and His name was glorified because you did not bribe the officials. The Lord is pleased in you because you obey and trust in Him.”

The spokesperson added, “ChinaAid affirms the testimonies of these faithful believers, and the persistence of their families’ and the CHCA’s efforts to free them from their bondage. We have supported the CHCA in helping these families of prisoners, and will continue to do so, as they recover and re-build their lives and ministries together.”

For more information, go to www.chinaaid.org.

Five Chinese Christian House Church Leaders Sentenced to Labor Camps Without Trial

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SHANXI, CHINA (ANS) – In what is seen as an arbitrary administrative sentence by the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB), which circumvents the court and prosecution systems, five more church leaders from Linfen Church, Shanxi, were each sentenced November 30 to two years re-education through labor.

ChinaAid (www.chinaaid.org ) says the sentence allegedly took effect November 11th, while they were already detained.

In a media release, ChinaAid says the five Christian leaders included Mr. Li Shuangping, Ms. Yang Hongzhen, Ms. Yang Caizhen (whose husband, Yang Xuan, received three years sentence on Nov. 25), Ms. Gao Qin (a.k.a. Gao Fuqin), and Ms. Zhao Guoai. Among the five, ChinaAid confirmed three members’ two-year re-education through labor sentences through their family members — including Yang Caizhen, Yang Hongzhen and Mr. Li Shuangping.

ChinaAid stated: “The other two members’ sentences were confirmed indirectly by Linfen-Fushan church leaders, since their family members were being held under severe government surveillance.”

According to ChinaAid, the five church leaders were accused of “gathering people to disturb the public order, ” referring to the one-thousand-believer prayer rally held on September 14 for the victims of the midnight attack on Fushan Church. 17 church buildings were destroyed and over 30 believers were seriously wounded during the unprecedented mob attack on September 13.

ChinaAid says that according to a witness, Ms. Yang Caizhen was seen being beaten severely during an interrogation.

“One of her front teeth was knocked out during an interrogation, and Ms. Yang is reported to look very fragile,” the Christian charity said.

In its media release, ChinaAid goes on to say that Government authorities asked the prisoners’ family members to sign the Notification-to-Family-Member sentence document, but refused to give them official copies. They claimed the church leaders themselves had received the documents while held in detention (a procedure which violates Chinese law). The family members of Yang Caizhen, Yang Hongzhen and Li Shuangping all signed the notification papers respectively. All ten Linfen church leaders plan to appeal.

“To arbitrarily send five innocent citizens to labor camps directly violates the international human rights covenants and norms the Chinese government has signed and even ratified, ” said ChinaAid President Bob Fu.

“This case shows the Chinese government is determined to be on the wrong side of history by clenching its power with suppressing the basic freedom of religion and conscience for Chinese citizens. We call upon the international community to hold these rights abusers accountable.”

_______________________________________________

Please contact: Annee@ChinaAid.org  for further information.

Contact: Annee Kahler,
Media Coordinator,
267-210-8278,
Annee@ChinaAid.org ;

Jenny McCloy,
Directory of Advocacy,
(Washington, DC),
202-213-0506,
Jenny@ChinaAid.org  

www.ChinaAid.org
www.MonitorChina.org

Nobel Prize Nominee Attorney Gao Zhisheng Still Alive, Condition and Whereabouts Still Unknown

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) – Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng was taken by a dozen police officers and last seen in public on February 4, 2009.

Gao Zhisheng’s wife Geng He, daughter Geng Ge (16) and son Gao Tianyu (5). (ChinaAid photo).

Gao Zhisheng has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He has been an unyielding voice for justice in the Chinese courts.  

ChinaAid (www.ChinaAid.org ) recently confirmed that Attorney Gao is alive, allegedly released on parole, though his condition and whereabouts are still unknown.

Since mid-July, the petition to free Gao Zhisheng has recorded over 110,000 signatures, calling for his release from the custody of the Chinese government.

According to a ChinaAid contact, Press Secretary Baodong from the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC recently asserted that Gao Zhisheng was officially held on charges for attacking the Chinese government, and was released on parole in August. Inside resources with ChinaAid can confirm that Gao is alive, but his condition and whereabouts are still unknown.

On September 8, 2009, eleven Members of the US House of Representatives issued a letter to President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, requesting him to uphold rule of law in China, according to the Chinese Constitution and their international agreements.

Congressional letter to Chinese President Hu JIntao. (ChinaAid photo) Caption Three: ChinaAid president Bob Fu and Gao Zhisheng’s wife Geng He present the first installment of the petition with more than 50,000 signatures to Senator Byron Dorgan. (ChinaAid photo)

The bipartisan letter, signed among others by Congressmen Frank Wolf and Chris Smith, specifically addresses the prolonged absence of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng. View the Congressional Letter to President Hu Jintao at www.ChinaAid.org.

In a media release, ChinaAid says: “We thank all FreeGao supporters for your concerns and contributions, and ask that you continue to raise awareness of Gao’s case until he is freed, with his full rights as a Chinese citizen lawfully restored. While the Chinese government has verbally decided to acknowledge the case, there can be no resolution with his absence and unknown condition still weighing on the minds and hearts of his supporters.

“Thanks to your help, ChinaAid has persisted in meeting and working with concerned officials from governments of the free world, presenting the petition signatures as a sign of international support — and Gao Zhisheng’s case has not been forgotten.”

ChinaAid says Gao’s story of persecution is only one of many. But it is also a key story in exposing the truth behind China’s Communist regime and its abuse of human rights.

ChinaAid says The Free Gao Campaign will continue gathering petition signatures and presenting them to authorities, and will not relent until Gao’s whereabouts and safety are known.

Below is the wording of the petition addressed to the attention to Chinese Ambassador Mr. Zhou Wenzhong.

“We are aware that Chinese authorities have detained Christian attorney Gao Zhisheng since February 4, 2009. He was at the home of relatives in his hometown in Shaanxi province when more than a dozen Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers forcibly took him away. He is being held at an undisclosed location.

“Gao Zhisheng is a 2008 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Chinese army veteran and prominent Christian attorney. He cares deeply for the nation of China, and is a loyal citizen. Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for his work defending those persecuted for their faith. He, his wife and two children have been monitored and tormented by authorities for more than two years.

“We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about Gao Zhisheng’s welfare and why he is being detained. This act of arbitrary detention itself is in violation of Chinese law.

“We are praying for the leaders of China and formally request that you release Gao Zhisheng immediately. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.”

To see the latest information, latest signature totals on the petition, photos and more, go to www.FreeGao.com .

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Trial Date set for Imprisoned Christian Alimujiang Yimiti

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

XINJIANG, CHINA (ANS) – Alimujiang Yimiti is a Uyghur Christian prisoner who has been arbitrarily detained at Kashi Municipal Detention center since January 12, 2008, charged with “revealing state secrets or intelligence to overseas organizations.”

According to ChinaAid (www.chinaaid.org ) his trial date has been set for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 28).

Alimujiang Yimiti (ChinaAid photo).

ChinaAid contacts say the reason for his imprisonment is his Christian faith and witness among the Uyghur people. The group says the international community is monitoring Alimujiang’s case closely.

In a media release, ChinaAid says that the UK government, the European Commission, the European Union, the UN, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing are closely involved in multilateral and bilateral human rights dialogues urging China to act according to international human rights laws that China has signed.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has investigated Alimujiang’s case, and issued Opinion No. 29/2008 on September 12, 2008, stating that Alimujiang Yimiti’s detention for more than one year is arbitrary and that the Chinese government should take the necessary steps to correct the situation.

ChinaAid says it has been in communication with those close to the case.

The group says that according to sources, Alimujiang’s wife Guli Nuer was notified on July 14 by the court in Kashgar that the trial for her husband would be held on the morning of July 28.

On July 23 (Beijing time) Guli Nuer and their two children traveled to Kashgar in order to attend the trial. However, authorities informed her that neither she nor Alimujiang’s mother will be allowed to attend the trial, which will be held at the Intermediate People’s Court of Kashgar.

ChinaAid says the only ones permitted to attend the trial are two attorneys who are representing Alimujiang Yimiti, Li Dunyong and Liang Xiaojun.

According to ChinaAid contacts, Guli Nuer was warned by the Xinjiang People’s Procuratorate (Gaoji Jiancha Yuan) in Urumqi that she should not have become involved advocating and speaking out about her husband’s case. Officials also told her that Alimjiang will not be released without charges.

ChinaAid president Bob Fu said: “Alimujiang is an innocent, law-abiding citizen. He has been a peacemaker between Han Chinese and Uyghurs. He has even been sending his children intentionally to study Mandarin in school, even though they are Uyghurs, in order encourage them to be peacemakers.

“The recent violent riots in Xinjiang have shown that there is a great need for stability in the region. The Chinese Christians, including the Uyghur Christians in Xinjiang, have never been involved in violent activities in Xinjiang. The Chinese government should show they are seeking stability by releasing Alimujiang Yimiti.”

ChinaAid also says that another Uyghur Christian, Mr. Wusiman Yiming is also in prison in Xinjiang. He was sentenced to two years of re-education through labor in September 2007 for “revealing state secrets” and “illegal proselytizing.”

Sources say that the real reason he was sentenced was because of his boldness as a Christian and a leader in the Uyghur church. Sources report that he has aged dramatically in the labor camp and his health is deteriorating due to harsh conditions.

Bob Fu stated: “We call upon the Chinese government to immediately release Alimujiang Yimiti and Wusiman Yiming, and bring justice to their illegal detentions which are in violation of both international law and China’s own criminal law code.”

Concerned believers are asked to contact the following Chinese government offices and the Chinese embassy to express your concern for Alimujiang Yimiti and Wusiman Yiming. The Xinjiang offices are generally open 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. — 6 p.m. local time in China.

Xinjiang Government Leadership Office Tel./Fax: +86- 991-280-3226
Xinjiang Government Law Management Office Tel./Fax: +86-991-235-6033

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

If you are a citizen of another country, please click below to find the contact information of the Chinese embassy in your own nation: www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490  

Please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org  with questions or requests for further information.

ChinaAid Calls for Prayer and Action on Behalf of Imprisoned Christian Publisher Shi Weihan

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BEIJING, CHINA (ANS) – ChinaAid calls on the international community to pray and act on behalf of imprisoned Christian house church leader Shi Weihan.

Shi Weihan

According to a media release from the ministry, on June 10 the Beijing Court found Shi Weihan, age 38, guilty of “illegal business operation” and sentenced him to three years in prison and 150,000 Yuan fine (about $22,000 USD) for printing and distributing Bibles at no cost.

ChinaAid (www.ChinaAid.org ) says six others stood trial together with Shi Weihan, and also received criminal sentences for “illegal business operation.”

Tian Hongxia, who worked for Shi Weihan, was fined three years in prison and 150,000 yuan. The other five sentenced were Li Fengshan, Zhou Xin, Cheng Xiaojing, Lű Yuequan and Li Zong, all shareholders and employees of Xinshu Printing Company Ltd. of Beijing, the printing company which printed the Bibles and Christian books.

ChinaAid says their sentences range from one to two years with fines from 60,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan.

ChinaAid recently received the Criminal Judgment from Haidian District People’s Court of Beijing Municipality for Shi Weihan and the other six who were sentenced. Click here to read it. www.chinaaid.org/downloads/sb_chinaaid/ShiWeihanssentencingedit.pdf.

ChinaAid president, Bob Fu stated, “Most of the books Shi Weihan published were Bibles and Christian books. He distributed them free of charge, because the Chinese government does not permit Bibles to be sold in public bookstores, and there is a great need for them. We call upon Christian book authors and those who placed orders for printing Bibles and Christian literature to speak out for Shi and his family.”

Shi Weihan’s wife Zhang Jing and their two daughters, 12-year-old Shi Jia and 8-year-old Shi En Mei, are under tremendous pressure from authorities. Shi’s wife has hired Christian lawyer Li Fangping to represent him and to appeal the verdict. The appeal process could take up to one year.

Concerned believers are asked to contact the Chinese embassy and request that Shi Weihan and the other six sentenced be immediately released, and that government authorities allow Bibles and Christian literature to be printed and freely distributed in China.

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Read the Criminal Judgment from Haidian District People’s Court of Beijing Municipality against Shi Weihan here: www.chinaaid.org/downloads/sb_chinaaid/ShiWeihanssentencingedit.pdf  

Please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org  with questions or requests for further information. 267-210-8278.

Washington contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org

Christian Attorney Zheng Enchong Interrogated and Tortured by PSB

SHANGHAI, CHINA (ANS) – A Christian human rights attorney has been interrogated and tortured for nine hours by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers because of his work defending Chinese citizens whose land has been confiscated by the government.

 

Zheng Enchong (ChinaAid photo)

According to ChinaAid (www.ChinaAid.org), during his detention on June 17, Zheng Enchong he was beaten, stripped and cigarettes were held to his lips and eyelids. Zheng Enchong has filed a written protest and plans to file a complaint to the central government.

A media release says that according to ChinaAid sources, Zheng Enchong was summoned by four officers from Zhabei District Branch of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau on June 17.

The ChinaAid news release states: “During his detention, officers took turns slapping him five or six times in the face, and hitting him three times in the back of his head. Police also held lit cigarettes to his lips and eyelids. Later, the officers pulled him from the seat and took off all his clothing, except his underwear. Police threw his personal belongings, including: money, keys, pen, and a Bible and some cookies to the floor. Then the PSB officers proceeded to search his body.

“Authorities compiled a written record of the interrogation without interrogating Zheng at all, and, then, wanted him to sign it. Instead, he wrote down a statement on the record describing his violent treatment by the PSB. He denounced authorities for using the same method on him as they use on Falun Gong practitioners.”

ChinaAid says that Zheng has been summoned by officials nearly 20 times, and his house searched twice in the past two and a half months.

“In 2003, he filed a major legal case exposing how government officials conspired with Zhou Zhengyi, ‘the richest man in Shanghai,’ to illegally confiscate homes for demolition. Since that time, Zheng Enchong has been continually harassed and persecuted by Chinese officials. He was sentenced to three years in prison for ‘illegally providing secrets to overseas entities.’ The charge related to two faxes regarding workers’ protests that Zheng was accused of sending to Human Rights in China, a non-profit organization. Zheng has also been beaten by authorities four times, so badly that he now has difficulty walking.”

Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid and a friend of Mr. Zheng and his family, said: “As an internationally well-known Christian human rights lawyer, Attorney Zheng has always defended the poor and vulnerable. The repeated harassment and torture against such a conscientious rights defender demonstrates the Shanghai authorities’ total disregard to citizens’ basic human rights. We encourage the international community to continue to press the Chinese authorities to stop these hideous acts and to hold the abusers accountable.”

ChinaAid calls on the international community to contact the Chinese Ambassador and urge that the violence against Zheng Enchong end, and that the government respect and uphold human rights according to the Chinese Constitution and international agreements:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org  with questions or requests for further information.

Washington contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org

Chinese Bookstore Owner Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Also fined nearly $22,000; “illegal business” printed Bibles for free distribution

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (ANS) — A Beijing court recently found Christian bookstore owner Shi Weihan guilty of “illegal business operation” and sentenced him to three years in prison and a 150,000 yuan (US$21,975) fine.

According to a story by Compass Direct News, sources said Shi’s store operated legally and sold only books for which he had obtained government permission, and that his Holy Spirit Trading Co. printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorization but only for free distribution to local house churches.

Compass said Shi, 38, had been released on Jan. 4, 2008 due to insufficient evidence for the same vague charge of “illegal business operation,” but he was arrested again two month later, on March 19. Contrary to Chinese law, authorities have denied all but a few visits from his lawyer and family, held him without charges for most of his time in jail, and initially withheld medication for his diabetes.

Compass reported that the court ruling seems to have allowed time that Shi has spent in jail to count toward his sentence, a source said, as his prison term was described as running from Nov. 28, 2007, when he was initially arrested, to Nov. 27, 2010.

Others in a printing company who stood trial with Shi appeared to have received similar sentences. A written judgment is expected within 15 days to allow time for an appeal to be filed, said Ray Sharpe, a friend of Shi.

“Absent an appeal, it is also possible that Shi could be allowed a sort of medical parole, due to his diabetic condition,” Compass reported Sharpe said. “Hopefully, he could then be allowed to stay in a hospital under a sort of house arrest.”

He said that Shi did not yet know whether he would appeal, adding that the process could take up to a year.

Compass said friends and business acquaintances of Shi have described him as a model citizen of China, saying that he has inspired them to love China by his patriotism and love for his homeland. They said he is known for selfless sacrifice on behalf of poor and disenfranchised rural Christians and minority children.

For much of his incarceration, Compass said Shi’s wife Zhang Jing and their two daughters, 12-year-old Shi Jia and 8-year-old Shi En Mei, have not known where he was being held. The family has been under nearly continual surveillance, limiting their ability to make contact with people who could assist them.

Compass reported sources said Zhang has worried about her husband’s condition and that she has taken on leadership duties at their church, where Public Security Bureau officials have intimidated the congregation with regular visits. Some members have left the church because of the intimidation, sources said, and Zhang is said to have suffered anxiety and stress that have led to depression.

Their two daughters have been ostracized at school for being the children of a prisoner, sources said.

Sources told Compass that Shi has lost more than 44 pounds since his second incarceration, dropping to less than 130 pounds. They added that he has suffered from blisters because of unsanitary conditions in prison, as well as tinnitus that at times causes his ears to ring so loudly that he cannot sleep.

Compass reported Chinese officials claim that the Nanjing Amity Printing Co. (Amity Press), the only government-approved Bible publisher, produces enough Bibles to meet the needs of the Chinese church, which various religious freedom organizations dispute. The groups complain that Amity prints a large share of its Bibles for export, and those sold domestically are not available to many Christians.

Video Launched to Expose Torture of Christian Attorney Gao Zhisheng

US Senators Call on Chinese President to Release Gao from Prison

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BEIJING, CHINA / WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) – It has been more than 100 days since Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng has been seen in public.

Gao Zhisheng

Now two Christian groups, who work for the rights of believers in countries where they face persecution or discrimination, are working together for his release. And a group of US Senators is calling on the Chinese President to have Gao released.

ChinaAid (www.chinaaid.org ) and Voice of the martyrs (VOM) — www.persecution.com — have released a video exposing the torture Gao suffered in 2007.

Reports from inside China indicate he is now likely experiencing the same treatment — or worse. Go to www.freegao.com to view the video now.

According to VOM, this video, an account of 58 days of torture in Gao’s own words, is an indictment of the true nature of Communist Party leaders, who commit these atrocities with their left hands, while their right hands are extended to the free world in a show of friendship and economic partnership.

VOM says in a media release that on September 12, 2007, Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng wrote an open letter to the U.S. Congress exposing the brutality of the Communist Party, including the persecution of house church Christians.

Soon after, says VOM, Gao was kidnapped by Chinese government authorities and tortured for 58 days.

“Officials threatened to kill him if he ever exposed the details of his torture. Gao Zhisheng refused to be intimidated into silence — he continued to speak out about human rights abuses by China’s ruling Party. Determined to silence him, government officials kidnapped him again on February 4, 2009,” VOM says in the news release.

Gao Zhisheng has now been missing for more than 100 days. He was last seen being hauled away by Chinese officials, VOM states.

“Gao Zhisheng risked everything to challenge the dark system of communism — he dared to speak the truth. Now, his very life threatens to unmask the distorted inner reality of the Chinese government to the world,” said VOM.

VOM explains that Gao said to his wife that if he should be persecuted for speaking the truth, he believed that people of justice throughout the world would stand with him.

The group is asking believers across America to please forward this e-mail to family and friends, asking them to view the video, sign the petition and send e-mails to government officials at www.FreeGao.com.

Meanwhile, according to ChinaAid, on May 14, the 99th day since Chinese Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng’s kidnapping by government officials, four U.S. Senators issued a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao calling for the Chinese government to release Gao.

The four signatories are: Senators Bryon Dorgan (D-ND and Chairman of the Congressional – Executive Commission on China), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sam Brownback (R-KS).

The following is the full text of the Senators’ letter to President Hu Jintao:

“Dear President Hu:

“We are writing to express our deep concern over the disappearance of prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, Gao Zhisheng. Tomorrow will mark the 100th day in which Mr. Gao has not been seen or heard from. We fear that Mr. Gao’s life may be in grave danger, given Mr. Gao’s past treatment at the hands of public security officers (and others working under their direction).

“Mr. Gao, voted ‘one of China’s top ten lawyers’ in 2001 by a Chinese Ministry of Justice publication, has represented numerous civil society figures, religious leaders and writers.

“In September 2007, Mr. Gao sent an open letter to the U.S. Congress alleging widespread human rights abuses in China. Afterwards, public security officers abducted him and held him for over 50 days, during which time he was repeatedly tortured. He was told that he would be killed if he told anyone about what happened. Mr. Gao was last seen on February 4, 2009 at a relative’s home, where more than 10 public security officers and others forcibly removed him from bed, and whisked him away to an unknown location. Mr. Gao’s whereabouts are still unknown.

“Mr. Gao’s disappearance appears to be a violation of both Chinese and international law. We urge your government to inform the concerned public of his whereabouts, to guarantee Mr. Gao’s right to be free from arbitrary detention, and to secure his release.”

Both ChinaAid and VOM invite you to visit www.FreeGao.com to advocate for Gao Zhisheng’s release: sign the petition; view the video; send e-mails to Chinese officials and find out more information about Gao Zhisheng.

For more details from ChinaAid, please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org with questions or requests for further information.

For more information from VOM, click here: www.persecution.com/contact

Tiananmen Square Leaders Issue Declaration of Repentance and Reconciliation on 20th Anniversary

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

MIDLAND, TEXAS (ANS) – An unprecedented statement regarding the June 4 1989 massacre at Tiananmen Square has just been released.

The document from 80 Chinese Christian leaders calls for forgiveness, repentance, truth, justice and reconciliation.

In a news release, ChinaAid said the majority of the signatories were directly involved with the students’ movement, and suffered severe repercussions at the hands of authorities for their participation. In the aftermath of the massacre, the failure of the movement and in their search for truth, these leaders found reality and hope in Jesus Christ.

ChinaAid said in their statement, the Christian leaders articulate how the massacre “awakened our sense of social justice as intellectuals. and shattered our dreams of utopia on earth.” Through this crisis, they saw they were not “entirely innocent bystanders of the sins and tragedy.”
ChinaAid said the manifesto declares, “in terms of this sinful nature, we are not fundamentally different from the decision makers, commanders or transactors of the massacre, ” except for encountering the grace and forgiveness of God.

ChinaAid reported that the declaration calls on all Chinese Christians to seek reconciliation on the basis that truth must be revealed and justice done. The declaration lists specific actions including confessing the sins of silence and hypocrisy; revealing the truth; helping those still suffering as a result of this tragedy and praying for Chinese authorities.

The signatories also urge Chinese authorities to investigate the massacre; fully disclose the truth; find the perpetrators; commemorate the massacre and compensate and care for the victims’ families.

ChinaAid said the Tiananmen Square Massacre, known in China as the “June 4 Incident, ” was the tragic end to a movement of students and intellectuals calling for free media and formal dialogue between authorities and student-elected representatives. Between April 15 and June 4, approximately 100,000 Chinese citizens, the majority of whom were university students, led peaceful protests in Beijing’s famous Tiananmen Square.

On June 4, ChinaAid reported, the Chinese government sent in armored tanks and, as the world watched, killed hundreds of the demonstrators. According to the Chinese government, the official death toll was 200-300. However, the Chinese Red Cross estimated that the actual deaths were between 2,000 and 3,000. More than 10,000 Chinese citizens from all over China who were involved in the movement were sentenced to death by the government as retribution. June 4, 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the massacre.

Bob Fu, president and founder of ChinaAid, was one of the student leaders in the Tiananmen Square movement.

Speaking in a news release he said, “The fact that this tragic massacre happened 20 years ago and is still not allowed to be commemorated in China by the Chinese government, should remind the international community that the road toward true freedom for the Chinese people is not an easy one.”

Fu added, “We are encouraged that the persecuted Chinese church and church leaders are awakened to repent for their silence regarding the massacre and to move forward toward true justice and reconciliation.”

ChinaAid said the declaration also issues a call to all Chinese Christian churches, within China and overseas, to pray between May 12 – the anniversary of the Sichuan Earthquake and June 4 – the anniversary of the massacre. They urge churches to make May 12 and June 4 “Pray for China” days and to hold special prayer meetings during that time.

ChinaAid is calling on the international community to stand with the signatories of the declaration by joining them in prayer and action for true reconciliation.

The signatories of the declaration invite other Chinese Christians and church leaders to sign the declaration. Those interested in signing can e-mail info@64church.org.

For more information go to www.ChinaAid.org