Contact: Daniel Burton, China Aid Association, Inc., 432-689-6985, 267-205-5210, info@ChinaAid.org; www.chinaaid.org, www.monitorchina.org

SHANDONG, China, July 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- CAA has learned that Pastor Zhang Zhongxin, of Jining City Shandong, was transferred to a Shandong Province labor camp to begin his two years re-education through labor on July 6, 2008. On July 11, Zhang's lawyer Li Fangping along with Zhang's wife Wang Guiyun met with pastor Zhang in the Labor Camp.  On the morning of July 14, Wang Guiyun, representing her husband, submitted an appeal to the District of People's Court of Jining City requesting that the court of Jining City withdraw the labor camp decision. The appeal has been submitted to the District Court and is awaiting review. 

CAA also learned that on July 14, 2008 in Jining City, Shandong, PSB officials, along with an anti-cult committee, investigated Lu Xiaoai, a fellow Church member of pastor Zhang. The policemen seized Bibles and Christian material from Lu. At the same time, officials in Rencheng district broke into Brother Li Dali's home and forcibly detained Christian books and a CD-ROM. Police summoned another church member named Li Da, but were unable to attain information from him due to a medical condition.  Officials also investigated church member Lian Dehai. Lian was later taken to the City Public Security Bureau and was placed under criminal detention. Police then raided his home and withheld Christian material and a CD ROM.

PSB officials continue to persecute the churches throughout Jiaxiang County and have detained house church members according a House Church member list. How the officials obtained such a list remains a mystery, though sources speculate the PSB has been working with spies within the Jiaxiang house churches to help relay information.

China Aid Association urges all brothers and sisters in the Lord, to pray for pastor Zhang, and those associated with him who have been unjustly and unfairly persecuted and detained for their beliefs.

CAA calls on Chinese authorities to immediately stop the persecution of these Christians.

To voice your concern over these issues 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