Preacher Chang Hao Challenges Administrative Detention
(Zhenxiong, Yunnan Province, China -February 22, 2025) According to reports, preacher Chang Hao from Zhenxiong has filed for administrative reconsideration after disagreeing with the administrative detention penalty imposed by Zhenxiong County’s political security team. After the judicial bureau upheld the original administrative punishment, Chang Hao filed an administrative lawsuit with the court. The court accepted the case and planned to hold a public hearing on February 7.
However, on February 7, the judge claimed that the case involved state secrets and would not be heard publicly. Both the defense lawyer and Preacher Chang Hao objected to the court changing the hearing from public to private, which ultimately resulted in the cancellation of the February 7 hearing. It has been rescheduled for February 25 at 9:00 AM.
Police Intervene During Baptism Service
On October 14, 2024, Pastor John Cao traveled from Changsha, Hunan Province to Zhenxiong to visit Preacher Chang Hao. About a dozen new believers in the Peace Reformed Church, pastored by Chang Hao, needed to be baptized. Out of respect for church tradition, Chang Hao invited Pastor John Cao to perform the baptisms.
On October 15, Pastor John Cao baptized thirteen new believers. As Chang Hao was announcing the end of the baptismal gathering, more than twenty police officers suddenly rushed into the meeting place, ordered everyone to hand over their phones, and searched each person. Subsequently, the police used more than a dozen police vehicles to take all attendees to the Zhenxiong County Public Security Bureau.
That night, all other Christians returned home, Pastor John Cao was directly escorted back to Changsha by police dispatched from Changsha, while Chang Hao was given a 12-day detention. According to reports, Chang Hao has been subject to more than twenty administrative detentions, each time for the same reason: illegal preaching.
Chang Hao’s Continued Defiance and Government Intimidation
On the morning of October 27, after completing his 12-day administrative detention, Chang Hao left the Zhenxiong County Detention Center. Community workers immediately drove him to the Poji Township Police Station, where he was interviewed separately by the deputy secretary, the director and deputy director of the Religious Affairs Bureau, and the heads of the county and city’s National Security teams.They asked Chang to register with or join the Three-Self Church. Chang clearly stated,
“It’s impossible to persuade me to abandon my faith. Imprisonment, or even beheading wouldn’t stop me from believing.”
Subsequently, Chang filed an application for administrative reconsideration with the Zhenxiong County Government. In early December last year, the administrative reconsideration was rejected by the judicial bureau. So, Chang filed a case with the local court.
Church Shutdown and Ongoing Harassment
The local government also banned the Peace Reformed Church, and all church property was looted. Church Christians have been frequently harassed and intimidated by officials, who take their phones to uninstall apps related to their Christian faith, force them to exit WeChat groups, and block and delete Chang Hao’s contact, prohibiting church Christians from contacting him. Meanwhile, three surveillance cameras were installed at Chang’s doorway to monitor him, and people were paid to pose as cleaners to watch his every move.
Prayer Request Amid Ongoing Persecution
On February 22, Preacher Chang Hao issued a prayer request letter, thanking everyone for their continued support and help. He earnestly requests Christians to continue their attention and prayers and hopes that he can fight the good fight for the Gospel of Christ during the trial.
(Reported by special correspondent Ningmeng for China Aid)