46 Christians Arrested in Kashi, Xinjiang ; 2 detained for 15 days

Xinjiang- CAA has learned that Chinese Government officials has launched a strategic campaign against House Church Members in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, entitled “Anti-illegal Christian Activities Campaign”. In a specific incidence, on Sunday April 13, 2008, 46 Christians were arrested in Shache County, Kashi City, Xinjiang. 46 House Church Christians were holding Bible class and worship in the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun, when Public Security Officials intruded into Ding’s home and arrested all of them.  44 Christians were released after the trial day, following a 50 Yuan deposit to the PSB by family members. The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal Sunday worship activities and study the Government’s handbook on Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the policy to officials within one week. The other two were sentenced to detention. The two Christians sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention are:  Mr. Ding Zhichun (40 years old) and Ms. Ma Wenxiu (42 years old). Both are being held in Shache County detention center, Kashi City.
The recent campaign in Xianjiang is similar to the ongoing campaign the Government has established in Tibet, where Buddhist Monks are being forced to swear their allegiance to the Government’s established Religious Policy and denounce the Dalai Lama.

To express your concern please contact:
Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.,

Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Issued by CAA April 17, 2008

China Aid Association, Inc.
Tel: (267) -205-5210
Fax: (432)-686-8355
E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org
Website: http://www.chinaaid.org/ http://www.monitorchina.org/
Contact: Daniel Burton (432)-689-6985

U.S. Watchdog on Religious Freedom Urges China Not to Repatriate North Koreans

By Jeremy ReynaldsCorrespondent for ASSIST News Service

WASHINGTON (ANS) – A U.S. watchdog on religious freedom urged China on Tuesday to stop repatriating refugees to North Korea, where it said returning asylum seekers are often tortured in an effort to suppress Christianity.

Writing for Reuters News Service, David Morgan reported the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a 49-page report that North Korea employs stringent security measures to stop the spread of religion, especially Protestant Christianity.

Some of the worst treatment is handed out to refugees sent back to North Korea from China, Reuters reported the commission said.

“The forcible repatriation of refugees from China remains an issue of special concern,” said its report on North Korea, titled “A Prison Without Bars.”

Reuters said the report continued, “If it is discovered that (refugees) have either converted to Christianity while in China or had contact with South Koreans — both of which are considered to be political offenses — they reportedly suffer harsh interrogation, torture and ill-treatment.”

Refugees can also be sent to forced labor camps and prisons, often without trial, the report said.

Reuters reported the commission called on the international community to pressure Beijing to stop repatriating refugees, and provide increased protections as required by international protocols.

“Such action should begin immediately as China prepares to host the 2008 Summer Olympics,” the report said.

Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have fled North Korea in the 1990’s, during a famine that killed at least 1 million people in a country of 23 million, Reuters reported aid agencies say.

Reuters reported that the U.S. government estimates there are 30,000 to 40,000 North Korean refugees still living in China, according to the commission. But the panel said humanitarian aid agencies believe the number remains near the 100,000 range.

Reuters said that China typically views asylum seekers as economic refugees and returns them to North Korea, which has long had a poor human rights record.

U.S. findings, based on interviews with 32 refugees and six former North Korean security agents, said many returning refugees are tortured to determine why they left the country.

Reuters said that according to the commission, Pyongyang views new religious activity as a security threat in a country dominated by the personality cult that surrounds North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his family.

North Korean security agents especially target those thought to have visited Chinese churches for food aid or other forms of assistance.

Reuters reported that former North Korean security agents told the commission that authorities set up bogus prayer meetings to entrap new converts in North Korea, and train staff in Christian practices, for the purposes of infiltrating churches in China.

“There continues to be a pressing need on the international level for further, more effective action that addresses the ongoing repression of religious freedom and other human rights in North Korea and the problems of North Korean refugees in China,” said Commission Chairman Michael Cromartie.

At the report’s launching, the AFP News Service reported Republican Senator Sam Brownback charged that Beijing’s continued repatriation of North Korean refugees, despite reports about their victimization on their return, “highlighted China’s role as the great enabler of human rights abuses.”

The AFP reported Brownback added, “There is a dismal record of China in Tibet; there is a dismal record of China in Darfur; there is a dismal record of China in the treatment of North Korean refugees.”

Brownback called on China to stop the “abuses,” the AFP reported.

Brownback accused China, the AFP reported, of defying its own agreement with the United Nations by refusing to give the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees access to the North Korean refugees, who had to “face death and imprisonment” on their repatriation.

The commission responsible for the report was created by Congress in 1998. It is funded in entirety by the U.S. government. Its commissioners are appointed by Congress and the White House.

13 House Church Leaders Detained in Sichuan Province

By Dan Wooding

Founder of ASSIST Ministries

SICHUAN, CHINA (ANS) – China Aid Association (CAA) says that it has learned that 13 house church leaders were detained at Qu county, Sichuan province on Sunday, March 30.

“According to an eyewitness within the church there, around 3pm on Saturday, March 29th, a house church service was attacked during their praise and worship service,” said a spokesperson for CAA. “The church is in Qu county, Dazhou city which is a six hour drive from Chengdu city, Sichuan Province.

“Seven believers were taken by a group of people who claimed to be from local religious affairs bureau, community administration and national security. Their names are Wang Qingxiu, Zhou Yanmei, Zhang Mingxiu, Luo Qinghua, Wan Huabi, Wang Zhenping, and Yan XX.

“Wan Huabi and Wang Zhenping were released after the interrogation. Around 6pm Wang Zhenping was notified by the detention center that Wang Qingxiu was there. Luo Qinghua was found in the detention center the next day.The other three sisters are also in the detention center.”

The CAA story goes on to say that on the morning of March 30th, nine sisters and four children were taken by the policemen after their Sunday school service was let out. Another sister who wa s working in the cloth market was taken at the same time. All children and two elderly believers were released after the interrogation. For the rest of them, seven are in the detention center, and one sister is missing.

According to three copies of official criminal detention notices obtained by CAA, which were issued to family members of Ms. Wan Huabi, Ms. Wang Qingxiu and Ms. Lei Shibi on March 30, 2008 by the PSB of Qu County, Sichuan province, these arrested leaders were accused of being “suspected of using evil cult to obstruct the enforcement of the law.”

Ms. Li Xianbi, 59 years old, who is the host of the Sunday worship at her house on March 30, received 5 days administrative detention for “illegal gathering for evil cult activities.”

The Rev. Bob Fu, president of CAA said, “We are deeply concerned about the welfare of these detained Christian leaders. Their arbitrary detention totally contradicts the spirit of the rule of law.

“It is another step backward toward improving the religious freedom reco rd in China as the Chinese government promised both before and after the 2008 Olympics was awarded to Beijing.”

For more information please visit: www.chinaaid.org

Eleven minors in Xinjiang Province detained by PSB officials released

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

XINJIANG, CHINA (ANS) – China Aid Association (CAA) has learned that at 10pm Beijing time on February 29, the 11 minors and 2 adults detained by Xinjiang Public Security Bureau officials in Huocheng County, Qingshuihe township have been released by authorities and charges have been dropped.

According to sources, PSB officials received phone calls regarding the case while the House Church members were still in the process of interrogation.

The rapid release of the prisoners is attributed to the amount of attention the case has received, and the rapid response of the media in questioning the actions of these Government officials.

The 11 minors and 2 adults were detained by Xinjiang PSB officials while attending a House Church Bible Study in Houcheng County, Qingshuihe township.

At 9:00pm PSB officials disrupted the gathering and detained the minors along with Ms. Fun Jun (41), owner of the house, and Ms. Lu Lanxiang (42). The children, ages 16-17, were brought to the Qingshuihe township PSB office in freezing weather and were not allowed to bring adequate clothing.

Sources close to CAA said that 16 year old Lou Nan, daughter of pastor Lou Yuanqi, who pastors the house church, was one of the detained. Pastor Lou Yuanqi was not present during the detention of the other members. Pastor Lou was detained on October 20, 2002, along with 3 other pastors for organizing the House Church. All 3 pastors served 32 days in detention where they were severely beaten by guards and inmates daily.

The 13 members who were detained were held by Qingshuihe township PSB officials under the charge of “illegal religious gathering.” Family members were denied visitation.

China Aid Association, Inc.
Tel: (267) -205-5210
Fax: (432)-686-8355
E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org
Websites: www.chinaaid.org ; www.monitorchina.org

70 House Church leaders detained in Henan Province

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

HENAN AND XINGIANG PROVINCES, CHINA (ANS) – A Bible training held in the house of brother Xue Weimin was attacked by more than 20 policemen at 12am in the morning of February 18, 2008, according to China Aid Association (CAA).

CAA says that 250 believers were present in the training. 80 believers were taken by more than 10 police vehicles and detained. 10 were released later.

The other 70 are still detained under the charges of “making use of a cult to violate law enforcement.” 20 of them are detained in a detention center, while 50 are detained in prison (39 sisters and 11 brothers).

All blankets, foods, air conditioners and furniture were confiscated by the police without necessary documentation.

CAA has also learned that 3 minors who were released on February 29 from Huocheng County, Xinjiang Province were detained again by PSB of another county — Xinyuan County, Xinjiang Province. They will serve 15 days of detention in Xinyuan house of detention.

President of Chinese House Church Alliance issues Open Letter to the International Community

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

CHINA (ANS) – Since his conversion to Christianity in 1986, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan has been arrested, beaten and incarcerated 12 times. Most recently, Public Security Bureau and State officials forced Zhang to close the orphanage he had been running with his two sons.

Pastor Zhang Mingxuan

Zhang and the orphans have continued to look for places of residence, but have been refused several times by landlords who have been threatened by officials not to lease to Zhang. Currently, Zhang has been separated from his two sons, who were also forced to move by PSB officials.

Now Zhang Mingxuan, president of the Chinese house church alliance, has issued an open letter to the international community, informing the world of the sufferings and persecutions he has endured at the hands of the CPC.

Detailed in his third open letter are the many hardships and injustices pastor Zhang has had to endure throughout the years since becoming an outspoken evangelist and leader of the house church alliance.

In his first two open letters, Zhang appealed to President Hu Jintao, to rectify the wrongs being done by corrupt Government officials. To this date Zhang has received no response.

In his latest appeal, Pastor Zhang has written to the international community encouraging them to pray for the upcoming Beijing Olympics and to press the Chinese Government to realize true freedom of religion and rule of law.

CAA says it is Zhang’s hope, along with millions of other persecuted Christians, that the World’s attention on the Olympic Games will bring the Chinese Government to realize the wrongs it has done and allow the house church alliance to help build a true “harmonious society.”

To view the complete text of Pastor Zhang’s letter, click here: http://chinaaid.org/2008/02/18/we-want-the-olympics-but-we-want-love-and-justice-more/

To voice your concern over the injustices Pastor Zhang has been forced to endure please contact:

Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel:(202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

More than 40 members of Chinese House Church Alliance detained in Inner Mongolia; South Korean minister also missing

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

XILINHAOTE CITY, INNER MONGOLIA (ANS) – The President of the Inner Mongolia Branch of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Wang Dawei, was detained along with more than 40 co-workers on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

Wang Dawei

According to China Aid Association (CAA), the leaders were in the third day of Bible study when more than 100 Police officers from the State Security Bureau (PSB) and members of the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) disrupted the meeting and detained the ministers.

Police officials also confiscated the offering collection and more than 30 boxes of Bibles and other Christian literature. Security Bureau members then searched the personal residence of Wang Dawei later on in the afternoon. The leader of the meeting, a South Korean minister, was also detained during the incident. His whereabouts remain unknown.

CAA says the intensity of persecution amongst members of the Chinese House Church Alliance continues to increase as the Beijing Olympics draw near.

This latest incident highlights the hypocrisy of Chinese officials who promote a “Harmonious Society” while simultaneously persecuting innocent and patriotic citizens such as Wang Dawei and others. We urge the Chinese Government to release these Christians and remain consistent with its own rhetoric on Religious freedom and rule of law.

For more information contact:

Wang Dawei: 13754197497
Wang Dawei’s Daughter: 13947941911

Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

CAA has also learned that Xinjiang businessman Zhou Heng was released on his acquittal on Tuesday, February 19, 2008. Charges against Mr. Zhou have been dropped.

In other recent news, CAA has been informed that, Ms. Dong Shanshan and Ms. Xu Yuanyuan, were released by the Chinese Government in the afternoon of February 21, one day after CAA reported the case to the media.

According to an interview with the two Christian women by China Aid, both were taken away by officers from the State Security Bureau of Nanyang City, Henan province on Feb 18. They were interrogated about their work in the Chinese House Church Alliance. The interrogators told them before their release that they felt pressured because of “lots of international news media reporting about the arrest.” Both of them have returned home safely and thankfully.

China Aid Association, Inc.
Tel: (267)-205-5210
Fax: (432)-686-8355
E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org
Websites: www.chinaaid.org ; www.monitorchina.org
Contact: Daniel Burton- (432) 689-6985

Two female House Church Alliance leaders Detained in Henan

Four leaders sentenced to 5-day detention for distributing religious literature in Zhejiang

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

LUOHE CITY, HENAN PROVINCE, CHINA (ANS) – Two 24 year old Chinese House Church Alliance leaders were detained while awaiting transportation to Beijing.

China Aid Association (CAA) it has learned that at 11pm on February 18 at Luohe train station, Ms. Dong Shanshan and Ms. Xu Yuanyuan, who are both theological teachers within the Alliance churches, were taken away by 12 PSB (Public security Bureaua) officers, and their whereabouts are unknown.

CAA also said that four Christian women were sentenced to 5 days detention for distributing Gospel tracks at a bus station in Shujiang District, Taizhou city, Zhejiang province on January 31, 2008. The officers from PSB and RAB (Religious Affairs Bureau) accused them of “disturbing social order.” They were released on February 5 from Taizhou PSB Detention center. They are now preparing legal actions against the abusive PSB officers.

A news releases from CAA says: “These latest incidents are clear evidence that the CPC is adamant about dismantling the House Church Alliance before the Beijing Olympic Games. The Chinese Government is also trying to alienate the Alliance’s President, Zhang Mingxuan.”

It adds: “The two sisters who were taken, were members of the House Church Alliance. We ask for urgent prayer for them, as their whereabouts are unknown, and they may be facing extreme interrogation, humiliation, and even torture.”

China Aid Association
Tel: (432) 689-6985
Fax: (432) 686-8355
E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org
Websites: www.chinaaid.org/; www.monitorchina.org/

Early release from Hubei Labor Camp for three female House Church leaders

By Michael Ireland

Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

WUHAN, HUBBEI PROVINCE, CHINA (ANS) – In another stunning legal victory, three Chinese female house church leaders have been unconditionally released from their labor camp in Hubei province.

China Aid Association (CAA) says the decision was made at 4:30 PM Beijing time on January 23, and follows on the heals of the January 11, appellate ruling to release four male house church leaders from their labor camp following dismissal of charges from government officials.

CAA says the church leaders were arrested and sentenced to 18 months and 12 months re-education through labor respectively on August 6, 2007 after they were detained on July 15 and accused of the “crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws.”

In an interview with one of the recently released male pastors, China Aid Association was told that the director of the Hubei labor camp made a formal apology to the house church leaders for their wrongful imprisonment.

Furthermore, the director went on to state that he and other officials had learned their lesson and would seek to do a better job in the future. He then expressed to the leaders that they should be patriotic and upright citizens.

The admonition from the director was easy to take for the leaders who find empowerment in their true Christian faith to be the best citizens they are able to be in society.

“The Chinese house church is deeply committed to helping China realize the goal of becoming a ‘Harmonious Society,’” said CAA’s Bob Fu. “The released leaders expressed their gratitude to the labor camp officials for their willingness to discern true Christianity from common criminality and for setting a remarkable precedent of progression towards true religious freedom and rule of law in China.”

The leaders are also thankful to the international community for their efforts and prayers during this time.

Has there been a shift in CCP policy towards religion in China?

China’s Leaders Signal Shift in Tactics Toward Religion (www.heraldextra.com)

BEIJING — There was Hu Jintao, head of the Chinese Communist Party, warmly shaking hands at a party-sponsored New Year’s tea party with one of the country’s main Christian leaders. To make sure the message got through to China’s 68 million party faithful, a large photograph of the moment was splashed across the front page of the official party newspaper, People’s Daily…

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