(Sichuan, China – July 22, 2026) After six months in detention, the case against Early Rain Covenant Church preacher Dai Zhichao has entered a new phase as Chinese authorities continue their years-long campaign against one of the country’s best-known Protestant house churches.
The case of Dai Zhichao has been formally transferred to the procuratorate in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, for review before a possible indictment and trial.
In addition to the original charge of “inciting subversion of state power,” prosecutors have added the charge of “organizing illegal gatherings,” according to Dai’s family.
The additional charge has deepened the family’s concern, though they said they were encouraged after Dai’s lawyer was permitted to meet with him on July 16. In a post on X, relatives thanked supporters and said Dai’s greatest regret has been being unable to be with his wife during the birth of their child. They also expressed hope for a fair judicial process.
Dai serves as a preacher at Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Since authorities launched a sweeping crackdown against the church in late 2018, its pastors and members have faced persistent surveillance, police questioning, detentions, and repeated disruptions of worship services.
The church became internationally known after authorities arrested Pastor Wang Yi and more than 100 members during coordinated raids in December 2018. Wang was later sentenced to nine years in prison on charges including “inciting subversion of state power,” while authorities have continued targeting church leaders and members through recurring enforcement campaigns.
Since mid-2025, authorities have further intensified pressure on the church through raids, surveillance, interrogations, and criminal cases targeting leaders and members, even as the congregation has continued meeting despite government restrictions.
Dai has previously been detained multiple times for participating in church gatherings and providing locations for worship meetings. He has also been subjected to administrative detention as authorities continued monitoring Early Rain members.
On Jan. 6, authorities launched another coordinated operation targeting several key members of Early Rain Covenant Church. Dai, Li Yingqiang, Ye Fenghua, Yan Hong, and Zeng Qingtao were taken to police stations or detained by law enforcement.
Church member Shu Qiong was also summoned for questioning on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a charge Chinese authorities frequently use against government critics, religious believers, and civil society activists.
The latest case has prompted renewed concern from international human rights advocates over China’s continuing campaign against unregistered Protestant churches and broader restrictions on religious freedom.