Verdict for Zhao Weikai

ChinaAid 12 January 2023

Zhao Weikai, his wife, and his three children. — Zhao Weikai with his family.
Photo: ChinaAid

In a previously posted "Persecution & Prayer Alert" report, we included Li Xin's appeal for prayer, requesting that the court hearing relating to the case of her husband, Zhao Weikai, would soon take place. At the time of that report, Zhao had been detained since July 2021 without a conviction. For more details, go to this page.

On December 30th, Li finally received a notice announcing the court's decision. Zhao, who was convicted of "illegally holding materials promoting terrorism and extremism," has been sentenced to two years in prison and additionally fined. The charges against him stem from materials seized by authorities during a raid on the Christian couple's home in 2021. These confiscated items included video documentaries on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest and the Xinjiang protests that took place in 2009.

While Li was not allowed to attend her husband's trial, which was held on December 15th, others who were present reported that he looked well. However, since Zhao suffers from liver disease, there are continued concerns regarding the Christian man's health as he now begins to serve his prison sentence.

Pray for the improvement of Zhao's health as he awaits vindication legally, asking the Lord to administer loving care and peace to this convicted believer during his time of incarceration. May the efforts of Zhao's lawyers to file an appeal against the court's decision be done with wisdom and discernment. Furthermore, please prayerfully remember Zhao's family, who also need God's comfort, provision and peace during this difficult time of separation.

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 state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: 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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