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

HENEN, China, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- CAA has learned that House Church President Bike Zhang Mingxuan and his wife were released by PSB officials on August 29. In a direct phone call from pastor Bike to CAA President Bob Fu, Pastor Bike described the conditions and treatment since his detainment on August 6 of this year. Zhang and his wife were on forced vacation for the past three weeks, and were forced to stay at four different resort locations throughout their detention. Zhang and his wife were accompanied by 15-16 Government officials, including high ranking PSB and RAB leaders including the head of the RAB of Henan Province.

Photo: Pastor Bike Mingxuan 

Bob Fu was able to speak with Zhang's wife who was in excellent spirits. Mr. Fu shared with the couple that since their detention a petition to have them freed has been created and signed by over 50,000 people. Zhang and his wife were both excited and thankful to hear of the response from so many caring individuals. Despite the circumstances of his captivity, Pastor Bike has been actively evangelizing and advocating the role of the House church to his captors since his detainment. Bike and his wife were told they were prohibited from returning to Beijing until the end of the Paralympics September 16.

CAA is thankful for the release of Zhang and his wife and for the thousands of supporters who took time to sign the petition. While Zhang and his wife have been treated well by Chinese authorities during their detention, the same can not be said of countless other individuals who continue to suffer at the hands of CPC officials who continue to prohibit the growth of true religious freedom within China. CAA plans to print and deliver the 50,000 signature petition to the Chinese Embassy in Washington , D.C. within the week.

Issued by CAA August 29, 2008