Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding has been released after five months of detention but remains under house arrest, according to an April 26 report from Zenit. Bishop Zhiguo was taken by authorities for a "study session" on November 8 (click here for the story). It was the eighth detention for the 71-year-old bishop since January 2004. He was transferred to house arrest on April 19, coinciding with Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.
Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo Released From Detention
- Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.
Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
- Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)Government type
Communist party-led stateLegal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systemsSources: CIA World Factbook
- Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.
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China News
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Nine Zion Church Leaders Released as Others Face Prosecution
Eight of the Christians facing charges.
Photo: Zion Church via ChinaAidOn November 18th, Communist authorities formally arrested 18 church leaders (pastors and other staff members) of the Beijing Zion Church, charging them with "illegally using information networks." These charges were part of the officials' ongoing campaign to target the church and its various campuses. (Learn more about these arrests by reviewing this previously posted report.)
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Further Raid Against Early Rain Covenant Church
Police raid at the Early Rain Covenant Church.
Photo: ChinaAidThe Early Rain Covenant Church has experienced significant and sustained governmental pressure, particularly since a major raid took place in December 2018, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence against Pastor Wang Yi. Despite ongoing opposition, the church has remained steadfast in its commitment to continue gathering for worship and ministering in the community.
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Church Building Forcibly Demolished
Yazhong Church.
Photo: ChinaAidIn December 2025, the Yazhong Church (also referred to as the Yayang Church) was targeted during an intense government campaign, resulting in the arrests of hundreds of believers. The following month, large numbers of police surrounded the main church building in Wenzhou, setting up barricades to block any views of the worship facility. At the time of the blockage, there were also concerns that the building may potentially risk demolishment. (For more details, see this page.)
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Total of 31 Christians Recently Sentenced
A church in China.
Photo: ChinaAidIn March 2024, leaders of a house church fellowship in Suizhou, a city located in central China's Hubei Province, were arrested as part of a major crackdown on itinerant ministry workers. In an apparent attempt to minimize public and international attention, authorities conducted the trials in small numbers, often with only one or two defendants at a time.
