Letter-writing campaign for the release of Chinese Christian Shi Weihan

The 37-year-old Shi Weihan (or 'Shi Wei Han' – Chinese passport number G09812730) owns a bookshop in Beijing. He has been re-arrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature after he had been released in January due to 'insufficient evidence'.

Shi (see photo, right), father of two, was re-arrested on 19 March and has been held without any family visits allowed. Shi was first arrested on 28 November 2007, and held until 4 January. On 19 June, the three-month deadline for a hearing expired. The court hearing expected on the last day of the deadline did not take place, which means that Shi's detention is now illegal under Chinese law.

Shi's wife, Zhang Jing, has received no word on her husband's condition and she has been prohibited from bringing him any medication, food or changes of clothing since his re-arrest.

Until the end of April, Shi had been denied a visit by his lawyer. Following that visit, China Aid Association (CAA) reported on Monday 28 April that authorities were holding him at the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre as a 'dangerous religious element'. A long-time friend, Ray Sharpe, dismissed the allegation as contrary to Shi's gentle, patriotic nature.

Open Doors is concerned about Shi's health as he has diabetes and Public Security Bureau officials have been known to use deprivation and torture to force detainees to reveal information about others.

CAA reported that Shi's lawyer said Shi was in dire need of medical attention. "However, the detention centre authorities refused to provide medications or even the most basic humanitarian treatment", the organisation said.

Under his Holy Spirit Trading Company, Shi ran a Christian bookstore, a printing press and a travel agency. The bookstore is located near the Olympic Village and Shi had never had any problems with the authorities before his arrest last November. His bookstore operated legally and it sold only books for which he had obtained government permission.

His printing press, however, printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorisation for distribution to local house churches. Last January, Shi was concerned about publishing the unauthorised books but because the churches needed them, he felt the risk was worth taking.

Pastors from both house churches and official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) congregations have reported a shortage of Bibles and other Christian materials in Beijing, the north west, the north east, and the south west. Church growth in tribal areas has also created an urgent need for Bibles in minority languages.

Shi had no plans to protest during the Olympics; nor has he been in trouble before, either with his bookshop, which has all the proper paperwork, or because of his links to the home church. Shi and his home church have been free to worship and have been under no pressure to stop the church or register it.

Personal details:
Name: Shi Weihan (male)
Chinese passport number: G09812730

Source:
Compass Direct News
China Aid Association (CAA)
Open Doors International

Respond

You can write to the Chinese Ambassador in the United Kingdom voicing your concern. Click here to send a letter to Fu Ying »

Please pray:

• for Shi Weihan, his wife Zhang Jing and their two daughters. Pray that the authorities will respond positively to this campaign.
• for our brothers and sisters in China, particularly pastors and evangelists, as they seek to spread the Gospel to those who have not yet heard about Jesus.