(Guiyang, Hunan, China – June 6, 2025) On May 29, 2025, Christian Xu Xiaoli from Guiyang County, Hunan Province, published a statement online revealing that she is now being prosecuted by the People’s Procuratorate of Guiyang County, Hunan Province, for “organizing others to illegally cross the national (border) frontier,” solely because she traveled to Hong Kong in April 2023 using a valid and legal Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau through the official Luohu border checkpoint in Shenzhen to participate in a religious study event in Hong Kong.
Denial of Illegal Activity
In her statement, Xu Xiaoli expressed that she never engaged in any illegal border crossing. Furthermore, her lawful exit and return to the country took place two years ago. Nevertheless, the People’s Court of Guiyang County, Hunan Province has stated that if she refuses to plead guilty and accept punishment, she will be detained and imprisoned.
Legal Contrast with Co-Accused Christians
Xu Xiaoli revealed that the other Christians who traveled with her two years ago have already agreed to plead guilty and accept punishment, and the court has opted for either bail pending trial or non-prosecution in their cases.
Defense of Legal Rights and Public Transparency
Xu Xiaoli stated that if she had truly violated the law, she would willingly bear all legal consequences. According to Chinese law, she is entirely innocent. She firmly demands the protection of her legal rights and is prepared to accept any consequences for refusing to admit guilt. She has already appointed a lawyer to present a not-guilty defense and has requested that her lawyer make all proceedings in her case public.
In her statement, Xu called on the Guiyang court to handle the case lawfully and in accordance with regulations, and to earnestly implement the principle of comprehensive rule of law.
Border Crossing Charges Used to Target Christians
In recent years, the crimes of “illegally crossing the national (border) frontier” and “organizing others to cross the national (border) frontier illegally” have become common methods used by the Chinese government to persecute Christians. The aim is to prevent Christians from going abroad to study or engage in fellowship with Christians from other countries. Even traveling together in groups can be deemed criminal.
Vague Legal Definitions Enable Religious Persecution
As early as 2012, the Chinese government issued a joint judicial interpretation through the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, listing five specific circumstances that constitute “illegal (border) frontier crossing.” The fourth item is particularly vague and broadly defined: “Using false reasons for exit or entry, concealing true identity, impersonating others’ identity documents to fraudulently obtain exit or entry permits and cross national borders.” This provision has become the Chinese government’s catch-all charge used alongside others like “inciting subversion of state power,” “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” “illegal business operations,” and “fraud,” to justify religious persecution and human rights violations.
In recent years, Christians accused under the two charges of “illegally crossing the national (border) frontier” and “organizing others to cross the national (border) frontier illegally” have been arrested across multiple provinces and regions, including Yunnan, Shanxi, Hunan, Sichuan, and Gansu.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng of ChinaAid)