(Foshan, Guangdong province – February 14, 2025) On January 17, 2025, the public verdict was finally announced for five Christians from Guangdong Shengjia Church charged with “illegal business operations.”
- Preacher Deng Yanxiang was sentenced to two years in prison, with his term ending May 23 this year, and fined 3,000 yuan;
- Wang Weicai was sentenced to one year and five months and fined 2,000 yuan;
- Zhu Longjiang was sentenced to one year and three months and fined 1,000 yuan;
- Zhu Qiaoling was sentenced to one year and three months and fined 1,000 yuan;
- Zhu Longfei was sentenced to one year and two months and fined 1,000 yuan. The five church co-workers stated in court that they will continue to appeal.
The specific verdicts are as follows:
- Defendant Deng Yanxiang is found guilty of illegal business operations, sentenced to two years in prison, and fined 3,000 yuan RMB.
(The prison term is calculated from the date of execution of the verdict. Pre-verdict detention time is counted as one day per day of the sentence, i.e., from May 24, 2023, to May 23, 2025. The fine must be paid within thirty days after the verdict takes legal effect.)
- Defendant Wang Weicai is found guilty of illegal business operations, sentenced to one year and five months in prison, and fined 2,000 yuan RMB.
(The prison term is calculated from the date of execution of the verdict. Pre-verdict detention time is counted as one day per day of the sentence, i.e., from May 24, 2023, to October 23, 2024. The fine must be paid within thirty days after the verdict takes legal effect.)
- Defendant Zhu Longjiang is found guilty of illegal business operations, sentenced to one year and three months in prison, and fined 1,000 yuan RMB.
(The prison term is calculated from the date of execution of the verdict. Pre-verdict detention time is counted as one day per day of the sentence, i.e., from May 24, 2023, to August 23, 2024. The fine must be paid within thirty days after the verdict takes legal effect.)
- Defendant Zhu Qiaoling is found guilty of illegal business operations, sentenced to one year and three months in prison, and fined 1,000 yuan RMB.
(The prison term is calculated from the date of execution of the verdict. Pre-verdict detention time is counted as one day per day of the sentence, i.e., from May 24, 2023, to August 23, 2024. The fine must be paid within thirty days after the verdict takes legal effect.)
- Defendant Zhu Longfei is found guilty of illegal business operations, sentenced to one year and two months in prison, and fined 1,000 yuan RMB.
(The prison term is calculated from the date of execution of the verdict. Pre-verdict detention time is counted as one day per day of the sentence, i.e., from August 9, 2023, to October 8, 2024. The fine must be paid within thirty days after the verdict takes legal effect.)
If dissatisfied with this verdict, an appeal may be filed within ten days from the second day after receiving the verdict, either through this court or directly to the Foshan Intermediate People’s Court of Guangdong Province.
Shengjia Church has faced religious persecution for refusing to join the government-sanctioned Three-Self Church. On May 24, 2023, the church was raided by multiple departments including Shunde Public Security, Religious Affairs Bureau, Department of Education, and Department of Industry and Commerce.
Preacher Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, Deacon Wang Weicai, and Zhu Qiaoling were arrested by Shunde Public Security on suspicion of “illegal business operations”. On August 9, 2023, Elder Zhu Longfei was arrested on charges of “illegal business operations.”
On August 23, 2024, the fifth day of the second trial for the five Christians from Shengjia Church charged with “illegal business operations,” the court announced that siblings Zhu Longjiang and Zhu Qiaoling were granted bail pending trial. After the trial ended, the two Christians immediately left the court and met with their family members and defense lawyers.
On October 8, Elder Zhu Longfei was granted bail pending trial, and Zhu Longfei’s wife, family members, and Christians from Shengjia Church welcomed him at the detention center with flowers. On October 23, Deacon Wang Weicai was granted bail pending trial, and he reunited with his family upon leaving the detention center that day. During the trial proceedings, the defense lawyers and the accused Christians gave beautiful testimonies in court.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng for ChinaAid)
