(Gansu – April 16, 2025) An absurd accusation is looming over the church in Zhangye, Gansu. Pastor Sun Chenghao, a well-respected pastor, has been arrested by authorities on the bizarre charge of “organizing illegal border crossing” simply due to what was a typical trip to Jeju Island, South Korea. A crucial pre-trial conference is scheduled for April 29, 2025.
Pastor Sun Chenghao’s wife revealed that her husband has been imprisoned since December 15, 2023. The so-called “criminal act” was a group visit to Jeju Island — a visa-free tourist destination for Chinese citizens. The situation is nothing short of outrageous.
“Jeju Island is a visa-free area; there was no illegal border crossing,” Pastor Sun’s wife stated.
At the pretrial conference, judges will meet with prosecutors, the wrongly accused Pastor Sun, and his defense attorney to further understand the circumstances of the case, hear from all parties, and review the witness list and any potentially excluded evidence. This conference could be a key step toward revealing the truth and clearing Pastor Sun’s name.
Background of Pastor Sun Chenghao and the case
Pastor Sun Chenghao, a preacher of Korean ethnicity born in 1982, followed his pastor father in evangelizing across Gansu at a young age. Faith has long been woven into his life. Who would have imagined that a simple overseas trip could bring such devastating consequences?
In August 2023, Pastor Sun Chenghao and his friends purchased plane tickets in honest means and passed through routine border checks to visit Jeju Island as tourists. During the trip, not only did he not receive anything for the expenses, but he also thoughtfully created a WeChat group to facilitate communication. After the trip, everyone returned to China safely. Yet just four months later, the Zhangye Public Security Bureau detained him under the charge of “organizing illegal crossings.” He remains imprisoned in a detention center to this day.
Pastor Sun Chenghao’s ordeal has inflicted a devastating blow on his family. His wife and daughter, isolated and alone in Zhangye with no relatives nearby, have been further burdened by authorities warning brothers and sisters from church not to contact them, which is without a doubt adding to their sufferings.
The Chinese authorities target Christians on overseas travels
This is not an isolated case. In recent years, incidents have emerged frequently across China where house church Christians with records of overseas travel are punished under fabricated charges. Behind these actions lies a harsh crackdown on potential religious activity abroad. Since 2017, many Christians holding legal passports and visas have been accused of “organizing illegal border crossings,” with sentences ranging from several months to years. These outrageous acts are a blatant violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Following Pastor Sun Chenghao’s arrest, the house church group “Kingdom Prayer Meeting” has been fervently praying for him and his family. ChinaAid Association will continue to follow this appalling case, calling for justice and looking forward to Pastor Sun Chenghao regaining his freedom soon.
Please continue to follow Pastor Sun Chenghao’s sufferings and speak out for persecuted faith communities.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
