Six Christians Arrested in China

Six Christians were recently arrested in China and are being accused of fraud and “organizing the activities of minors that undermine public order.” 

Several sources spoke with ChinaAid, confirming that officials arrested five men — Wei Yongqiang, He Jinbao, Quan Xiaolong, Long Jian, and Cheng Yongbing — and a woman named Zhou Guiya. They are leaders of an unregistered house church in Kaili, a Chinese city in the province of Guizhou. 

Though fraud charges exist to punish illegal income, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) also uses them to penalize unregistered churches for receiving tithes and offerings from their members. 

Officials claimed that the church illegally organized “activities of minors that undermine public order.” Though the article they cited refers to circumstances involving fighting or theft, the reason for the arrest was organizing Sunday school classes for children. 

Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, responded to the CCP’s abuse of their laws. 

“The constitution of China says it protects religious belief, but in practice the CCP is targeting law-abiding citizens who happen to attend church with their children,” Fu said. 

Officials illegally detained the Christians without first receiving the legal opinions of the defendants’ attorneys. 

“This case — both the charges and the process — mark a shocking new phase in China’s persecution of religious minorities,” Fu said. “When authorities attempt to equate normal Christian education with threats to public order, it shows how far the CCP is willing to go to suppress independent religious belief.” 

China ranks 17th on Open Doors’ World Watch List of the most dangerous countries to be a Christian. China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law, updated last year, authorizes the administration to criminally punish unregistered religious activities.

For now, the Christians remain detained while their families, church, and supporters advocate on their behalf. As news of the story spreads, ChinaAid is calling for a unified response. 

“We call on the international community, democratic governments, and human rights organizations to closely monitor this case,” Fu said. “In the public square, let us speak out against an evil system violently oppressing people of faith. And let us remember in prayer our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned, as if we were with them.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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