Preface

 

The Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China

 

Within the last two weeks (late August, 2002), we received four batches of information about the Chinese Government’s crackdown on house churches during its preparation for the coming 16^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. According to the testimonies we just received, 182 house church members in 24 cities and 16 counties of 10 provinces were either openly arrested, secretly arrested, or kidnapped (missing) during June-August, 2002. Most of them were then detained, interrogated, tortured, and fined. Many meeting places were completely destroyed, and other church properties confiscated. A crying teenage girl wrote us a letter asking for help to find her mother who was secretly arrested and nobody knows where she is since then. It is also very surprising to see Zhejiang Province and Tianjing City which used to appear open and mild toward religion believers executed harsh crackdown this time. All evidences demonstrate one fact which is the crackdown on house churches is not a local issue but a national campaign, and there is no true religious freedom in China.

 

House Church Christians Arrested Again Over Mainland China During the Government’s Preparation for the 16^th National Congress of the Communist Party

-----Churches Destroyed by the Police Using Force

 

Written By

A Group of Chinese House Church Believers on August 19^th, 2002

 

Translated and Released by

 

 

Case 1.

 

About 5:00 am of July 21^st, 2002, about 150 brothers and sisters who were praying at the house (169 Yuanpu Street, Yuanpu Village, Yuanpu Town, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province) of Brother Xianguo Kong (over 40-year old, one of the major church cowork. His house is the gathering place) were surrounded by more than 100 people among whom were over 70 police coming by more than ten police vehicles and two trucks together with the village chiefs and managers of safety unit of every district village, led by Director Jingliang Shi and Associate Director Jie Jing of West Lake District Branch, Public Security Bureau of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Secretary Miaoxin Zhou of the Committee of Politics and Legal Affairs, Manager Qingsong Zhou, Associated Manager Liheng Tu, and Associated Party Director Kaibiao Fu of Police Precinct at Yuanpu Town, officials from Department of Religious Affairs of Yuanpu Town, and other township officials. Director Jingliang Shi said, “You are gathering illegally. This is not allowed by our country! Today we will destroy your meeting place by force according to the law!”  They arrested the church leader Xiaoqiang Dai, coworkers Xianguo Kong and Huaying Zheng. The police took away all more than 100 benches, 20 large tables, 20 quilts, 100 bowls, 100 plates, and all religious books.

 

Furthermore, around 8:00 am, the police destroyed the church kitchen using an excavator. Since then, Brother Xianguo Kong’s house has been under watch and control 24 hours a day until now by the police from Yuanpu Precinct in the form of three police per shift. No body is allowed to approach the house.

 

 

Case 2.

 

About 10:00 am of August 4^th, 2002, over 100 brothers and sisters gathering at the house (301 Shuangliu Village, Zhuantang Town, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province) of Brother Laigen Ni (over 50 year old, one of the major church coworkers. His house is the gathering place.) were surrounded by more than 100 people among whom were over 70 police together with the village chiefs and managers of safety unit of every district village, led by Director Jingliang Shi (male, 47-year old) and Associate Director Jie Jing (male, about 50-year old) of West Lake District Branch, Public Security Bureau of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Secretary Miaoxin Zhou of the Committee of Politics and Legal Affairs of the West Lake District, Manager Fageng Ying (male, 38-year old) of the Police Precinct of Zhuantang Town, and other township officials.

 

Director Jingliang Shi said, “You are gathering illegally! This is not allowed by the country! Today we came to destroy and ban the illegal meeting place by force!” Then he ordered to ransack Brother Ni’s house. They took away all the Bibles, Hymns, spiritual books, and Brother Ni’s only 80 Chinese Yuan (about $10) left in the trunk, as well as the benches and tables used for gatherings (most of the benches and tables had already been hidden away at other places when the brothers and sisters heard something going to happen. But still, the rest were robbed away by the police.) Director Jingliang Shi ordered some people use welding gun to cut down the steal beam supporting the huge tent for meetings. The tent fell down immediately. Then he ordered people destroy the church bathrooms. The director warned upon leaving: “You will be arrested next time if you are going to gather again.” Since then the local police precinct have been sending people every Sunday to check if there is a gathering. Brother Ni has been hiding at other places since then, and dare not come back home.

 

Case 3.

 

About 8:00 am of August 4^th, 2002, over 100 brothers and sisters meeting at the house (at Jiulian Village, Zhuantang Town, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province) of Brother Weixing Qian (over 50-year old, one of the major church coworkers. His house is the reception and gathering place.) were surrounded by more than 100 people among whom were over 70 police together with the village chiefs and managers of safety unit of every district village, led by Director Jingliang Shi (male, 47-year old) and Associate Director Jie Jing (male, about 50-year old) of West Lake District Branch, Public Security Bureau of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Secretary Miaoxin Zhou of the Committee of Politics and Legal Affairs of the West Lake District, Manager Fageng Ying (male, 38 year old) of the Police Precinct of Zhuantang Town, and other township officials. Director Jingliang Shi said, “You are gathering illegally! This is not allowed by the country! Today we came to destroy and ban the illegal meeting place by force!” Then he ordered to ransack Brother Qian’s house. They took away all the Bibles, Hymns, spiritual books and more than 100 benches. The meeting place (over 900 ft²) was completely destroyed by an excavator. Upon leaving, they warned Brother Weixing Qian he would be arrested if there were more gatherings. Since then the local police precinct have been sending people every Sunday to check if there is a gathering. Brother Qian had to leave his house, and dare not come back home.

 

 

Case 4.

 

Around 9:00 am on July 17^th, 2002, four policemen led by Liumei Si (female, about 47-year old, head of the Village Women’s League, Shangquan Village, Chencai Town, Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province) came to the village resident Yaqing Yang’s (female, 66-year old) house. The four policemen were Fujun Zhu, male, about 35-year old, Yuezhong Cai, male about 38-year old, (both from the Police Precinct of Linpu Town, Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province), and two men (both about 50-year old) from the Division of Political Protection, Public Security Bureau of Zhuji City. One slim and tall police from the Division of Political Protection interrogated Yaqing Yang. He asked her where she met with others, and what kind of book she read. Yangqing Yang did not answer anything, then he became very angry and rebuked her loudly. Then they ransacked her house and took away one Bible, one Hymn, some tapes and one recorder (about $12), leaving the house in a mess. Yaqing Yang was brought to the Police Precinct of Linpu Town ( since there was no police precinct at Chencai Town).

           

Then Yaqing Yang was again interrogated by the same slim and tall police with the same questions. And again, she did not answer anything. And again, the police rebuked her loudly. Later on they stopped interrogation because she had high blood pressure and other cardiac diseases. At night, they took three photos of her with a plate hanging in front, and then forced her to fingerprint on something with ten fingers. That night she had to sleep on the concrete ground. She was released the next afternoon and warned: “You are not allowed to believe in God any more. If I catch you next time, I will put you into the jail. Definitely won’t treat you as well as this time!”

 

 

Case 5.

 

Around 11:00 am on July 29^th, 2002, some policemen from the local police precinct came directly to Sister Laiying Wan’s (46-year old) house at 1^st Yangming Road, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province. They ransacked the house and took her together with one Bible, one Hymn, some tapes of songs and a recorder, away to the Dunzitang Police Precinct. Later, she was transferred to South Station Police Precinct of Nanchang City. Yanyi Tang (male over 30-year old), the team leader and Zhengchai Qin (amle, 36-year old) from the Political Protection Team, West Lake Branch, Public Security Bureau of Nanchang City, and the South Station Police Precinct took in charge of this case. A half month later, Laiying Wan was fined for 3,000 RMB (Chinese Yuan, about $360), but she has been detained at the 2^nd Detention House of Nanchang City until now.

 

 

Case 6.

 

            At 2:00 p.m., July 21^st, 2002, the house of Christian Shuiru Chen (female, 55-year old) at Xu Village, Jieting Town, Zhuji city, Zhejiang Province, was broken into by five policemen led by Mu-an Xu (male, over 50-year old), the village President and Jun Xu (male, about 36-year old), cadre of the village branch of the Communist Party of China. One of the five policemen was from the provincial Public Security Bureau (PSB), two from the PSB of Shaoxin City, the rest two from Chengdong precinct of Zhuji City. They accused Shuiru Chen of illegal gathering, and without further explanation, they ransacked the whole house and turned it into a big mess. Finally they found a Bible, a hymn, and some spiritual books. Then they took Shuiru Chen together with all these materials to Chengdong precinct of Zhuji City.

           

At the precinct, the police from the provincial bureau questioned Shuiru Chen, “Have you participated any gatherings all around? Who is the leader?” Without getting any answer, they detained her. They kept interrogating her for half of a month. And finally, when they saw they could not get anything from her, they forced her to write a guarantee against taking part at illegal gatherings and believing God any more. They also warned her, “Immediately report to the police precinct if there is any people from other places preaching the gospel.” At last, her relatives bailed her out by 2000 RMB (about $250).

 

 

Case 7.

 

Around 10:00 a.m. of July 21^st, 2002, the house of Christian Aifei Zheng (female, 40-year old) at Zhangmai Village, Gulin Town, Jinzhou Distric, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, was surrounded by ten some police from the PSB of Ningbo City, Jinzhou District PSB, Police Precinct of Gulin Town, among whom were Zhikang Dong (male, about 50-year old),  Dongfeng Xu (male, over 30-year old), and Shuijin Shao (male, over 30-year old). They came with a video recorder, and then took several brothers and sisters meeting at Aifei Zheng’s house to the town precinct. They came to the house again in the afternoon and ransacked the house, taking away all the Christian books.

 

They interrogated the sisters at the precinct, asking who was the leader. The sisters did not answer. Then they intimidated the sisters, “You will not only be sentenced to seven years in jail, but also be sent to where the hooligans are detained to be raped!” But the sisters refused to tell them anything. At night around 10:00, the sisters were transferred to Jinzhou District PSB, where they were forced to write a guarantee against joining any house church meetings in the future, and also warned they would be treated more strictly next time if they would break the promise. After that, they were released.

 

 

Case 8.

 

             At 9:00 a.m. of July 29^th, 2002, as soon as they arrived at the playground of the 2^nd High School of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, missionaries Songying Min (female, 40-year old, home address: Shajing Village, Honggutan New District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province) and Xiuying Wang (female, 20-year old, home address: South Court of Provincial Installation Company at Shanghai Road, Nanchang Province) were surrounded by ten some police because of someone else’s report. They were body checked and their cellular phone, phone directory book and Bible were seized. Then they were taken to the Park Police Precinct of Nanchang City, and transferred to the city PSB within the same day. At the city PSB, they were interrogated by Mr. Xinghan Hu, Head of the city PSB, Mr. Liu (over 50-year old) from the Political Protection Team, Changbei Branch of the city PSB, and Police Officer Mr. Dai (over 30-year old). They kept on silence during the interrogation, and then they were detained at the city PSB.

 

            Tow days later, Songying Liu’s husband (a cadre) bailed her out by 600 RMB (about $75). The police told them that she should come whenever called. She was watched 24 hours a day since then.

 

            Xiuying Wang was transferred to the 2^nd Detention House of Nanchang City. She is still at detention even after her relatives had paid $5000 RMB (about $610) of ransom.

 

 

Case 9.

 

            Brother Jiuqing Cui’s (34-year old, Xiazhuang Village, Wagang Town, Tangying County, Henan Province) whole family believe in Jesus Christ, and his family is the reception house. He was arrested because someone betrayed him and reported to the police that he hosted a missionary from other places, whose name is Chungeng Yuan (male, 36-year old, Yuanzhuang Village, Dunzi Town, Jun County, Henan Province). Brother Yuan’s whole family are Christians also.

 

            At 12:00 p.m. of July 18^th, 2002, three vehicles carrying Yupin Miao, Head of the Political Protection Section, PSB of Tangying County, and Changgui Li, the associate Head, together with other ten some police from the town precinct came to Brother Cui’s house. Six police ran directly to Brother Cui’s house. Three of them guarded the front gate while the other three ransacked the house after showing the search permit. They checked each clothe and quilt as well as every other place. They seized away ten some RMB (about $2) from the pocket of Brother Cui’s wife’s suit hanging on the wall, twenty RMB (about $2.5) from Brother Cui’s pocket, and a small recorder. Then they took away Missionary Chungeng Yuan and Brother Cui who were having dinner. Brogher Cui’s wife (Sister Qiaozhi Han) ran away by chance. The police took them to the PSB of Tangying County, then confined them at Wuligang Detention House of Tangying County.

 

            The next morning, Yuping Miao, Changgui Li and other three police went to and ransacked Chungeng Yuan’s house. They searched every corner, and found a notebook in which something about believing in God was written by Brother Yuan’s wife, Sister Xianmei Chang. After a while they called Sister Xianmei Chang to the PSB. Sister Chang was scared and ran away instead of going to the PSB, leaving two kids at home (a 13-year old daughter and a 10-year old son).

 

            In the morning of July 20^th, the police from PSB went to the house of Juiqing Cui to arrest Sister Qiaozhi Han. Sister Han was feeding the pigs when they came. She ran away over the wall when she heard the vehicle approaching. The police went at noontime and night to try to arrest Sister Han.

 

            Therefore, Sister Han could not come back home, leaving two kids at home (one 13-year old daughter, one 11-year old daughter). Juiqing Cui and Chungeng Yuan have been confined at Wuligang Detention House of Tangying County until now.

 

 

Case 10.

 

            At the early morning about 5:00 a.m. of July 8^th, 2002, when she was about to rest after watering the field for the whole night, Sister Honghua Zhou’s (39-year old) house (at Xiazhuang Village, Chutouling Town, Ji County, Tianjing City) was broken into by five to six plain clothed police led by Liang Li (male, 48-year old), Head of the village’s Security and Protection Section. They ransacked the house immediately after they confirmed that was Honghua Zhou’s home. When they found some religious books from the west room, they dragged Honghua Zhou into the vehicle and took her to the town police precinct.

 

            Having arrived, she saw some believers from other village were also arrested to the precinct.

 

            At 7:00 p.m. in the evening, Honghua Zhou was transferred to the detention house of Ji County. She was detained there for 15 days and fined for 150 RMB (about $19). She was released after they put her head image, all finger prints and social I.D. number into the computer. She was told that they would come again if anything happened. She has been monitored since then.

 

 

Case 11.

 

            About 9:00 a.m. of July 8^th, 2002, Brother Long Mu (51-year old, church leader, Shangyuan Village, Luozhuangzi Town, Ji County, Tianjing Province) went to the business fair at Shijiajing Village, Luozhuangzi Town. He was taken to the police precinct of Luozhuangzi Town by a plain clothed police right after he got off the bus. After Brother Mu’s identification was confirmed, Cheng Jing (male, about 40-year old), the associate director of the precinct led three police together with Long Mu went to his home.

 

            Once arrived, they went into the west room and ransacked it. They ordered Long Mu open every closet and trunk, and searched every corner. Finding nothing, they went to the east room, where they found a CD player and some CDs from a trunk. Then they ran into the backyard and continued their search. They threw things all around. The whole house was turned into a mess like being robbed. Standing aside, Long Mu watched helplessly what was going on. They slapped his face every time when they found a religious book or something that praised the Lord. His face swelled immediately. Finally they brought Long Mu and the confiscated items (some religious books, some CDs and one CD player) back to the police precinct.

            At the night, there were five police guarded Long Mu. Four of them were playing cards while one took turn to sleep. But Long Mu was not allowed to sleep. They used the cards to slash his face when he fell asleep, then forced him to pick up the cards. In such a way, they tortured him until the next morning.

 

            At 9:00 a.m. Zhiyun Wang (male, 48-year old), director of the precinct questioned Long Mu who was his upper leader. Long Mu said he did not know. Then they used various ways to torture him such as using a piece of bamboo to hit his palm until five o’clock in the afternoon. Then they sent Long Mu to QiliFeng Detention House of Ji County, and said to the detention house police, “Here is one more. You should not ‘beat him really’, but do your best to ‘help’ him.” The other police replied, “Do not worry. We know what to do!” Then they took Long Mu to Cell 303, and talked to the cell head for a while. The cell head then said to the other prisoners, “Go. Do your best to ‘help’ him.” Since then, every day, the prisoners beat Long Mu with fists, and whipped him with belts, in addition to kicking. They forced him to deny the beating after they finished beating him, otherwise he would suffer more beating. In such a way, Long Mu endured a week.

 

            In the morning of July 24^th, Long Mu was released after being fined for 100 RMB (about $12). His body was bruised everywhere. His back and legs hurt a lot, and he could not move easily. 

 

 

Case 12.

 

On July 8, 2002, about 5 o’clock in the morning, Cui-ting Hu (female, 32-year old), a Christian living at Linhe Village, Mashenqiao Township, Ji County in Tianjin City, was woken up from her dream by hasty knocks on the door. When she opened the door, seven or eight policemen rushed in. After her identity was confirmed, she was ordered to unlock all closets. They searched her place thoroughly. Within several minutes her east room and west room were in a big mess. They didn’t find anything interesting. Then Cui-ting Hu was taken to Mashenqiao Township Police Station.

 

Once in the station, Cui-ting Hu was interrogated for four hours nonstop by deputy station chief Shuai Cai (male, 32-year old) and his subordinates. They didn’t stop until Cui-ting Hu fainted and fell onto the ground because of hypoglycemia. They released her when they saw her month was full of saliva.

 

Several days later, the police station sent a village cadre to pass words to Cui-ting Hu, ordering her to give up her faith, and warning her that her disease saved her this time. Next time she would be sentenced to prison even she dies, because her faith is a political crime. Cui-ting Hu has been under surveillance since then.

 

 

Case 13.

 

On July 9, 2002, eight home church members were arrested by police from Yanzihe Township police station, Fengrun District, in Tangshan City, Hebei Province. Among them are Wen-hua Li (female, 41 years old) from Wujiaxuan Village in Yanzihe Township; Su-huan Zhang (female, 36 years old) and Su-rong Wang (female, 41 years old) from Zhangguanchun Village in Yanzihe Township; Yu-lan Zheng (female, 41 years old) from Xiaoliuzhuang Village, Shaliuhe Township in Fengrun District; Shu-xia Song (female, 36 years old) from Liusan Village, Shaliuhe Township in Fengrun District; Li-li Zhang (female, 19 years old) from Dengwu Township in Fengrun District; Brother Jing-de Yu (male, 66 years old) and Hui-juan Yu (female, 42 years old) from Liuqianzhuang Village, Fengdengwu Township in Fengrun District; Wen-hua Li’s little 5-year-old daughter was among the people arrested.

 

At about One o’clock that afternoon, these eight people were worshipping at Wen-hua Li’s home. Suddenly six policemen broke in. They said that such a meeting was illegal. And they cuffed brother Jing-de Yu. They said they had been following Brother Yu for two months, and Shu-xia Song for one month. Then they pushed them into the police vehicle. Brother Yu moved a little slow as he was suffering from bad hemorrhoids, and the police kicked him ferociously. He fell to the ground, and then was picked up. Someone slapped him twice on his face, shouting: “Aren’t you pretending!” With fists and feet the police pushed brothers and sisters into the police vehicle. After the door was clocked, police searched the place and took away some Christian books and notebooks. [The Christians] were taken to Yanzihe Township police station.

 

In the evening, Wen-hua Li was released with her 5-year-old daughter after a fine of 1,600 RMB (about $200); on the second day Su-rong Wang was released after a fine of 1,000 RMB (about $120); on the third day Su-huan Zhang paid 4,000 RMB and was released; on the forth day Shu-xia Song paid 2,000 RMB and was released. The rest four, Yu-lan Zheng, Hui-juan Yu, Li-li Zhang and Jing-de Yu, were transferred to Fengrun District Detention Center.

 

In the detention center Yu-lan Zheng was interrogated three times, and was beaten everyday by guards with electrical batons. Finally she paid 3,000 yuans fine. They took her photos from every position (front, side, back), and ordered her to fingerprint. Then she was released with case records. On August 21, Hui-juan Yu, Li-li Zhang and Jing-de Yu were released after paying 2,000 RMB each.

 

 

Case 14.

 

On July 10, 2002, three Christians were arrested by Qianan City Public Security Bureau in Hebei Province. They were Shuang Han (church middle-level leader, female, 27-year old) from Banqiaoxuan Town, Yutian County in Hebei Province; Gui-yan Sun (church leader, female, 38-year old) from Qilikan Village, Jiancangying Town, Qianan City; Guo-li Sun (female, 35-year old) from Jimingzhuang Village, Yanggezhuang Town, Qianan City.

 

That morning, about 11 o’clock, Shuang Han and Gui-yan Sun were discussing church issues at Guo-li Sun’s home when Wen-lai Pu (male, over 40-year old), deputy chief of Political Protection Section at Qianan City Public Security Bureau and five or six policemen from Yanggezhuang police station broke into the house. These three Christians were pushed into a police vehicle and taken to Yanggezhuang Township police station. Later, Shuang Han and Guo-li Sun were transferred to Qianan City Public Security Bureau.

 

They were all released later. Gui-yan Sun had been detained at Yanggezhuang Township police station for 10 days and paid 3,000 RMB in fine. Shuang Han was not released until August 7, 2002. When she was released her face was swelling and her body was covered by bruises.

 

 

Case 15.

 

On July 19, 2002, several old Christian sisters were worshipping at Su-fen Pan’s home in Aige Village, Wanzhuang Township in Langfang city, Hebei Province. More than 10 policemen from Wanzhuang Township Police Station in Langfang City broke into their house and arrested them. Everyone was fined 200 RMB and released later that day. Only a 60-year-old sister’s fine was waived because she suffered a heart attack.

 

 

Case 16.

 

On July 21, 2002, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Bao-he Du (male, 55-year old), chief of Public Security at Changting Village, Langfang Economic Development District in Hebei Province led Ke-le Sun, chief of Public Security Section in the District and a dozen plain cloth policemen to the house of Hong-mei Fang. Fang is a Christian. Seven brothers and sisters in worshipping were arrested: Hong-mei Fang (female, 36-year old), Shu-hong Du (female, 39-year old), Yu-tao Xu (female, 37-year old), Shu-lan Zhang (female, 32-year old), Xue-min Li (female, 30-year old), Lai Yuan (male, 26-year old) and a 19-year-old brother. Two dozens of Bibles and a tape cassette player were confiscated. They were taken to the district police station.

 

In the station, some police interrogated them, trying to find out from where they got the Bibles and who were the preachers, etc, and slapped on their faces from time to time. Brother Lai Yuan was tired up and beaten with his hands on his back.

 

So far Yu-tao Xu, Shu-lan Zhang, Xue-min Li and the 19-year-old brother were released. Hong-mei Fang, Shu-hong Du and Lai Yuan are still in custody at Xiwaihuan Detention Center in Langfang City. Family visits have been denied.

 

 

Case 17.

 

On July 24, 2002, Hui-ying Wang (a Christian, female, 47 years old), who lives at Dingxing County Compressor Factory’s family dormitory, and her co-worker Shu-guang Sun (female, 51 years old), who is a resident at Xiaozhuang Village, Chengguan Township went to the fellowship at Xue-hong Xu’s home at Jingan Village, Gaoli Township. Suddenly Zhi-qiang He (male, 31 years old), chief of Gaoli Township police station, and a dozen people rushed into the house, accusing them practicing Fa-lun-gong. When the Christians identified their faith, the police demanded to see Preaching Permit. Failing to show any permit, Hui-ying Wang and Shu-guang Sun were taken to the township police station, and they were transferred to the county detention center later. Police wanted to fine 3,000 RMB, which they refused. They were detained for 12 days before being set free.

 

 

Case 18.

 

In the evening of July 15, 2002, a group of policemen from Lingbi County Public Security Bureau in Anhui Province and Fengmiao Township police station, led by station chief Li Ma (male, 37 years old), came to the house of Qin Zou (female, 36 years old), who is a church leader. She lives in Group 7, Xiaozhangzhuang Village in Fengmiao Township.

 

Policeman Kai Zhang (male, 38 years old) shouted to Qin Zou’s sister, Fang Zou (female, 28 years old): “Who is Qin Zou? Is she a Christian?” (At that moment Qin was hiding behind a door in a hurry). Failing to find Qin Zou, police ran into the rooms and searched aimlessly, and threw everything out, such as clothes from the closets, comforters and blankets from beds, things in the drawers, etc., on the floor. They even didn’t miss her son’s schoolbag. The whole place looked like a junkyard. Qin Zou ran away during the chaos.

 

The police led by station chief Li Ma rolled over walls into Qin Zou’s neighbor after searching Qin’s house. The neighbor’s name is Lu-qin Zhu (female, 36 years old). They arrested all 10 Christian sisters who were worshipping there: Jun-fang Liu (female, 40 years old, lives in that village); Lan-hong Zhu (female, 35), Mei Wong (female, 30), Hua Wang (female, 37), Su-ying Liu (female, 48), Fang Zhang (female, 27), all from Huowangzhuang, Wangyu Village, Fengmiao Township in Lingbi County; Hua Wang (female, 35) and Qing-Ying Qian (female, 37) from Shuiniuchen Village, Huangjia Village in Fengmiao Township; Cai-ying Li (female, 38) from Xiaowuzhuang, Shuangli Village in Chantang Township; Feng-lan Zhang (female, 38) from Houtang Village in Beitang Township. They took these 10 sisters with Lu-qin Zhu, Fang Zou and Min Zhao (female, 20 years old, a resident of Zhanzhao Village in Huigou Township; she takes odd jobs and was staying at the Zhu’s house that night, sleeping in only a bra and a brief underwear; but three policemen carried her into the police vehicle, anyway) to Fengmiao Township police station.

 

On July 16^th, Min Zhao, Fang Zou, Lu-qin Zhu and Jun-fang Liu were transferred to Lingbi County Detention Center; Fang Zhang, Cai-ying Li and Feng-lan Zhang were transferred to Lingbi County Detention House; the other six people were detained at Fengmiao Township Police Station.

 

They were accused of “practicing cult and undermining the administration of State Laws”. Min Zhao was held for 16 days and fined 4,500 RMB; Fang Zou 22 days and 2,500 RMB; Lu-qin Zhu 19 days and 3,000 RMB; Jun-fang Liu 16 days and 3,000 RMB; Fang Zhang 4 days and 1,800 RMB; Cai-ying Li 6 days and 1,550 RMB; Feng-lan Zhang 2days and 1,100 RMB; Qing-ying Qian 3 days and 1,000 RMB; Mei Wang 22 days and 3,000 RMB; Lan-hong Zhu 2 days and 2,000 RMB; Su-ying Liu 2 days and 4,000 RMB.

 

None of the Christians involved in the above cases ever acted against the Communist Party or against the Government, and they never did anything against the law, yet they were prosecuted because of their faith in God. The Chinese government keeps promising “Democracy, Human Rights, Freedom of Religion”; how would it explain the arresting and fining innocent people by police without proper procedures, as examples given above? Where are our rights under Chinese Constitution, Article 36, which gives all Chinese citizens “freedom of religion and faith”? House church members in China have come to agree that, today, the priority of police is not to protect people from criminals or to keep social orders, but to destroy all other religious activities outside of the governmental “Three-Self” churches. It is very easy to see whether the Chinese people have true religious freedom or not.