Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, Katherine@ChinaAid.org; Washington contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org

BEIJING, Jan. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Hua Zaichen, 91, whom authorities have repeatedly denied a final meeting with his imprisoned wife Shuang Shuying 79, was hospitalized on January 28. Sources report that officials are fearful they will be held accountable for his death because of the international attention to this case. ChinaAid urges the international community to speak out for this elderly Christian couple whom authorities have treated with cruelty and injustice.

ChinaAid contacts report that Hua Zaichen was taken to the emergency room of Beijing Dianli Hospital because he was suffering from shortness of breath. At the hospital, his heart stopped beating for a period of time, but doctors were able to revive and stabilize him. He is still having difficulty breathing. The doctor told Hua Zaichen's son, Pastor Hua Huiqi, to prepare for his father's death.

Later the same night, one Public Security Bureau (PSB) officer, Mr. Yang Guanghong, came to the hospital to check whether Hua Zaichen was still alive. Authorities feared that they could be held accountable for his death because of the international media and prayer campaign launched by ChinaAid and support by many caring individuals worldwide. Contacts report that the Beijing Municipal PSB was very angry at Pastor Hua Huiqi for releasing information to the media about their threats to him and their treatment of his mother in prison. They are also furious that Pastor Hua continually refuses to act as an informant for the PSB.

Hua Zaichen and Shuang Shuying are Christians and have been persecuted for years by the Chinese government, because of their family's work in caring for the poor and oppressed and allowing persecuted Christians to stay in their home. Shuang Shuying has suffered almost two years in prison on fabricated charges, and has been ill most of the time.

Pastor Hua Huiqi thanks all those who have already supported his parents by speaking out, praying and sending help. Pastor Hua was deeply encouraged when he heard that many caring people all over of the world had been praying for his father. He said, "No wonder we saw this miracle last night after the death valley," he said, referring to when his father came back to life after his heart stopped. "We felt the reality of the prayers from caring brothers and sisters."

Pastor Hua and ChinaAid appeal to the international community to speak out now, and asks that the authorities release his mother immediately and be allowed to meet with his father before he dies.

Please send an urgent appeal to government officials requesting Shuang Shuying's immediate release:

• Minister of Ministry of Justice: minister@legalinfo.gov.cn

• The Central People's Government of the People’s Republic of China: English@mail.gov.cn

• Beijing Municipal Government: service@ebeijing.gov.cn

• People's Daily Newspaper: info@peopledaily.com.cn

• China Daily Newspaper: circu@chinadaily.com.cn

• Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,

Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
http://www.china-embassy.org/
Tel: 202-7456743                
Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512
 
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