(Zhejiang, China – August 14, 2025) Following the formal arrest of Pastor Huang Yizi in Wenzhou on July 29, another religious activist, Li Yongfeng, was formally arrested by Zhejiang police on August 1. The move has sparked strong public concern over China’s judicial procedures and humanitarian treatment. Li Yongfeng’s wife, Du Xiaoxi, recently issued a prayer letter revealing that her husband was forcibly taken away during his post-surgery recovery, and that his health has continued to deteriorate. 

Forcible Removal During Post-Surgery Recovery

According to Du Xiaoxi, Li Yongfeng had just undergone surgery for hemorrhoids and a perianal cyst on June 24. Before he was even discharged, police took him from his hospital bed at Kecheng People’s Hospital in Quzhou City on June 26. The family stated that doctors had clearly indicated that the patient needed rest after surgery and that prolonged travel could worsen his wounds, and also noted that his high blood sugar required ongoing medication to be controlled. These medical recommendations were ignored by the police, and Li Yongfeng was transferred directly to the Pingyang Detention Center in Wenzhou. 

Alarming Medical Neglect in Detention

Li Yongfeng’s medical situation in detention is profoundly worrying. According to his lawyer, during an interrogation on July 1, Li was denied permission to use the toilet, resulting in incontinence; this deprivation of basic physiological needs raises serious questions about whether the detention center’s management meets even minimal humanitarian standards. On July 2, the lawyer filed a motion to exclude illegally obtained evidence, and during a July 11 meeting, discovered that Li Yongfeng still had bleeding wounds and a cyst discharging pus, urgently requiring medical treatment. Furthermore, despite multiple attempts by the family to provide insulin and other essential medication for controlling his blood sugar, the detention center repeatedly refused without giving any apparent reason. 

Lack of Legal Transparency and Due Process

On July 3, when the defense lawyer met with the case’s assigned prosecutor, he pointed out that Li Yongfeng had no clear criminal facts or illegal business activities, and that the case lacked a reasonable basis from the start. However, the prosecutor claimed to be “unaware” of the case details and the lawyer’s submitted documents, indicating serious communication failures or deliberate evasion of key information during the case handling process. 

Human Rights Concerns and Systemic Issues

Human rights observers note that the Li Yongfeng case exposes issues such as forced enforcement, medical neglect, and lack of procedural transparency, reflecting a systemic disregard for basic human rights protections by some local law enforcement authorities when handling sensitive religious or belief-related cases. 

At the end of her letter, Du Xiaoxi quoted Psalm 31:2 to express her helplessness and concern:

“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue.” 

Religious Freedom Under Threat: Audio Bibles as a Target

China Aid Association calls on the international community to continue monitoring the case and urges the relevant authorities to ensure that detainees have access to lawful medical care and fundamental humanitarian treatment.  According to informed sources, the core accusation against both Li Yongfeng and Huang Yizi is reportedly related to the distribution of Bible audio players. These devices, popular among grassroots churches, are especially convenient for elderly and visually impaired Christians to listen to the Bible. However, in an environment where religious activities are increasingly restricted, such actions are increasingly classified by the authorities as “illegal business operations” or “unlawful religious dissemination.” 

Criminalization of Faith-Based Tools and Growing Suppression

The criminalization of a purely faith-based dissemination tool represents an evident narrowing of religious expression freedoms. In the absence of transparent charges and public trials, such cases are more easily abused as a means to suppress unofficial religious activities. 

Wider Crackdown on Unofficial Religious Networks

The arrests of Li Yongfeng and Huang Yizi are part of a broader campaign in recent years to crack down on unofficial religious networks in China and have once again raised concerns over the “criminalization” of religious materials. 

Reported By Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai for ChinaAid