(Pingyang, Zhejiang – August 13, 2025) The family and lawyer of Pastor Huang Yizi in Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province, China, have revealed to the public that Pastor Huang’s right of correspondence has been illegally stripped while he is being held at the Pingyang County Detention Center. The incident has left his family deeply worried and sparked widespread questioning of the authorities’ handling of the case.
Blocked Letters and Postcards Raise Alarms
According to Pastor Huang’s wife, Lin Aili, Pastor Huang Yizi sent five letters from the detention center, but his family did not receive a single one. Meanwhile, two postcards sent by Lin Aili and their child to Pastor Huang on August 8 have also disappeared without a trace, with Pastor Huang likewise never receiving them. This indicates that all channels of communication between Huang Yizi and his family have been cut off.
A Wife’s Message of Love and Faith
In the postcard Lin Aili sent to her husband on August 8, she expressed her love to her husband, writing: “Had I known, I would have given you a big hug before you stepped out the door that day, and made you a breakfast you like, so there would be no indebtedness or regret left.” She expressed serious confusion over his arrest again: “I do not understand why it is you again?” but added, “I can only think that this is God letting you retire in another way. I trust the Lord who has loved and cared for us until now; he makes no mistakes and is never late.”
Lawyer Condemns Illegal Denial of Rights
Lawyer Fang Xiangui, who was involved in the earlier Wenzhou Cross case, stated that the detention center has no right to strip a detainee of their fundamental correspondence rights. He pointed out that this is “special treatment” against Pastor Huang, not only violating legal procedures but also seriously infringing on the human rights of detainees in custody.
Pastor Huang’s Background and Previous Persecution
Pastor Huang Yizi, born in 1974, is a fourth-generation Christian who is respected in the southern Zhejiang region for his service to the church and steadfast faith. In 2014, he was sentenced for “gathering a crowd to disrupt social order” after opposing the government’s forced removal of church crosses. On June 26 this year, Huang Yizi was again taken by authorities, this time on the charge of “illegal business operations,” reportedly related to his nonprofit promotion of Bible audio players.
Religious Censorship and Digital Evangelism Tools
China’s internet and religious censorship are extremely strict. Only formally registered churches are eligible to apply for websites, and they must undergo rigorous content review. Most house churches are unable to have independent websites, and even WeChat public accounts and similar platforms are difficult to use for sharing Christian content. Some Christian technicians have developed simple electronic evangelism tools such as sermon players, which contain large numbers of hymns and recorded sermons, making it convenient for Christians to listen to Bible content.
Criminal Charges Tied to Nonprofit Faith Activities
Pastor Huang is accused of being involved in such an initiative. Christians from Wenzhou believe this is not purely a criminal case, but one of the many forms of religious persecution. Multiple police officers from Pingyang Public Security and Lucheng State Security, some even disguised as food delivery workers, forcibly entered Pastor Huang’s home to conduct searches. In the same case, Sister Ding Liqing and Sister Shao Haiyan were granted bail pending trial on the early morning of July 26, while four others, including Pastor Huang Yizi and Brother Li Yongfeng (Taizhou), have been formally arrested and remain in custody.
Rising Fears Over Religious Persecution and Legal Abuse
Pastor Huang’s re-arrest and the stripping of his right to correspondence have heightened concerns about religious freedom, human rights protections, and transparency in law enforcement in China. China Aid Association urges the authorities to immediately stop the illegal treatment of Pastor Huang and ensure his fundamental rights as a detainee.
China Aid Association
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