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Imprisoned Chinese Christian Needs your Support

copy from : http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/673 

SANTA ANA, Calif. (July 2, 2008) – Open Doors USA is launching an email advocacy campaign on behalf of an imprisoned Chinese Christian.

On March 19, Shi Weihan was re-arrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature. The 37-year-old bookstore owner had been released in January following his arrest on November 28, 2007, due to “insufficient evidence.”

Under his Holy Spirit Trading Company, Shi ran a Christian bookstore, a printing press and travel agency. The bookstore is located near the Olympic Village and Shi never had any problems with authorities before his arrest last November.

His bookstore operated legally and it sold only books for which he had obtained government permission. His printing press, however, printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorization for distribution to local house churches. Last January, Shi was concerned about publishing the unauthorized books, but because the churches needed them, he felt the risk was worth taking.

Pastors from house churches and official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) congregations have reported a shortage of Bibles and other Christian materials in Beijing, the northwest, the northeast, and the southwest. Church growth in tribal areas also has created an urgent need for Bibles in minority languages.

Shi never had any plans to protest during the Olympics, which start August 8 in Beijing. Shi and his home church have been free to worship and have been under no pressure to stop the church or register it. However, Shi’s many foreign relationships formed during his time as a travel agent may have caused suspicion from Chinese authorities.


The China Aid Association (CAA) reported on April 28, that authorities were holding Shi at the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre as a “dangerous religious element,” thinking he may try to cause a stir during the Olympics. A long-time friend, Ray Sharpe, dismissed the allegation as contrary to Shi’s gentle, patriotic nature, saying, “I know him as someone who teaches others to love their country, pray for their government and obey the public officials as though they were placed over us by God.”

A father of two, Shi has been held without any family visits. His wife, Zhang Jing, has received no word on her husband’s condition, and she has been prohibited from bringing him any food or clothing since his re-arrest. Until the end of April, Shi had also been denied a visit from his attorney.

The months of separation from her husband, anxiety about his health condition, and having to manage her family without Shi, have exacted a toll on Zhang’s well-being. She is now suffering from depression and feels very weak and utterly helpless.

Their two daughters are also very affected by all that is going on. They have become very emotional and cry constantly because they have not seen their father for months now.

Adding to their stress is the intimidation they are experiencing from being under surveillance by the PSB. They are followed wherever they go, even when Zhang sends her daughters to school. The movements of Shi’s lawyer are also being monitored to ensure that he will not make contact with any foreigner or groups overseas. The PSB tell him, though, that they are only doing that in order to “protect him” so that his work will not be interrupted.

On June 19, the three-month deadline for a hearing expired and Shi’s hearing never took place as expected on the last day. Therefore, Shi is now being held illegally.

Open Doors is very concerned about Shi’s health as he has diabetes and may be subject to torture while in detention. The CAA reported that Shi’s attorney said he was in dire need of medical attention. “However, the detention center authorities refused to provide medications or even the most basic humanitarian treatment,” the organization said.

Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA, says: “Not only is Open Doors focusing on Shi’s case, but the China Aid Association, International Christian Concern and Release International are all advocating on his behalf. We hope that the Chinese authorities will recognize that Christians like Shi are an asset to their country, and not a threat. Hopefully the authorities will respond to the many petitions of Christians in the United States and around the world who would like to see Shi released before the start of the Olympics.”

Open Doors is urging Christians in the United States to Email Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Whenzong to express their concern over the status of Shi, including access to medical care and medicines, adequate clothing, visitation rights for his family and a fair and prompt trial. To send an email, click here.