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 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid Association was informed that on July 4, 2008 in Jining City in Shandong reeducation-through-labor management committee issued a written decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through labor. Zhang started the re-education through labor program July 4, 2008 and is scheduled to be released June 5, 2010. The statement also declared that Zhang may appeal within 60 days. Pastor Zhang has applied for legal aid, and is hoping to hire defense lawyers. Zhang's wife Wang Gui-Yun will coordinate the hiring of legal defense for her husband.  

Pastor Zhang Zhongxin's home address is:

Qingkou Village, Jintun Town,
Jiaxiang County, Shandong Province.

Authorities accused him of cult participation for his role in organizing Sunday school training courses, preaching the Gospel in Tibet and other places for missionaries, and pioneering sermons. In 2005, he established the "Rainbow Missions Fellowship in Jining of Shandong" and "Timothy Bible training school", training pastors in ministry work.

After Pastor Zhang received the written decision, he appealed the Court hearing the same day. He was notified by authorities at 11:00AM on August 14, 2008 that he will have an appeal hearing in Jiaxiang County Detention Center. The following officials will appear in court during Pastor Zhang's hearing: Kong Liang, Jining City Public Security Bureau, the rule of law, civilian police; Li Zhijian, deputy director of Section officer.

CAA also learned that on July 14, 2008 in Jining City, Shandong, PSB officials, along with an "anti-cult group", investigated Lu Xiaoai, a Church member of pastor Zhang. The policemen seized Bibles and Christian material from Lu. At the same time, policemen 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.

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

Issued by CAA July 21, 2008