ChinaAid Association
October 26, 2010
ZHEJIANG — Around 9 o’clock on the morning on October 24, 2010, Shao Yajun and Song Tingting were in a rented apartment washing grocies and preparing for lunch. Suddenly, about 50 people from the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) Church Bureau of Religion (including the female deputy director), Jiaojiang District Domestic Security Protection Squad, teachers from Taizhou Institute, officers from the local police station, and others broke into the room. The group was led by Zhou Lingcai, director of TSPM of Jiaojiang District, Taizhou Municipality, and most of them were not in uniform.
Only those from the Bureau of Religion showed identification. The group lectured the two women and told them they were conducting an “illegal gathering” and threatened to arrest them. In fact, there was no gathering — Shao and Song were the only two people there. One person out of the group of 50, named Song, told the women that they must not live in that apartment any longer, and return to their original provinces; Shao Yajun is from Hunan, and Song Tingting is from Jiangsu.
Without showing a search warrant, officers broke into the bedroom, carrying camcorders and cameras with them. While searching the entire house, they shot videos and took photos. They also sifted through personal belongings, including private letters, and then copied all the contact information of their schoolmates and friends. The room was totally ransacked.
In the process, they acted viciously towards the two women. They attempted to forcefully remove the cross attached to the front door, and then tried to confiscate their computers. Fortunately, when Shao and Song Tingting strongly resisted, their personal items were not taken from them.
Zhou Lingcai, the president of TSPM, was labeled as a fraudulent teacher in official documents from the Bureau of Religion — Jiao Min Zong No. 2007.4 and Jiao Min Zong No. 2007.5.
Shao Yajun told ChinaAid, “What Zhou Lingcai did today reminds us of when Judas led the people to arrest Jesus. John 18:3 says, ‘Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.’ We do not know Zhou Lingcai personally. Therefore, this incident has proven Jesus’ words, ‘If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.’ Paul also said, ‘Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’”
She continued, “We hereby strongly request that international human rights organizations, human rights commissions, and Christians all over the world pay close attention to the persecution house churches in China. We also ask that they denounce strongly the suppression that Chinese authorities are placing on house churches.
Shao Yajun and Song Tingting are currently living at Bihaimingzhu Garden in Taizhou Municipal Development Zone, Zhejiang province.
To contact:Shao Yajun, call +86 187 5860 0257 (cell phone)Zhou Lingcai, president of the TSPM, call +86 138 6769 9193 (cell phone)The office of the Jiaojiang District Bureau of Religion, call +86 576 8822 2071
These women were accused of holding an “illegal gathering,” but they were simply preparing lunch. ChinaAid stands with Song Yajun in her request, and with other Christians in Zhejiang living under persecution. Christians around the world are encouraged to pray for this case.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
