(Wenzhou, Zhejiang – August 2, 2025) Pastor Huang Yizi of Fengwo Church in Shuitou Town, Pingyang County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was formally arrested by the Pingyang County Public Security Bureau on July 30, 2025, on suspicion of “illegal business operations.” Li Yongfeng, who was arrested in the same case, was also formally approved for arrest on August 1 on the same charge. Reportedly, the accusations are related to the sale of sermon audio players. 

Concerns Over Procedural Violations

The Pingyang Procuratorate’s “high-efficiency” direct approval of the arrest raises concerns about potential procedural violations. Lawyer Fang Xiangui, who has previously represented religious cases in Wenzhou, pointed out: According to China’s Criminal Procedure Law, the procuratorate may hear a lawyer’s opinion when reviewing an arrest application, and must do so if the lawyer requests it. Therefore, the procuratorate’s unilateral approval of the arrest is clearly unlawful. 

Timeline of Events and Legal Irregularities

This case began in June 2025, when six Christians from Taizhou, Wenzhou, and Ningbo in Zhejiang were detained. Two of them have since been released on bail, but Pastor Huang Yizi from Wenzhou, Pastor Li Yongfeng from Taizhou, and two other Christians remain in detention. 

Under Chinese law, investigative authorities must apply for formal arrest by the 30th day of criminal detention if they wish to continue the detention of a suspect. On July 25, the 30th day of Pastor Huang Yizi’s detention, lawyer Yuan Mao attempted to communicate with the case-handling personnel and to submit a not guilty defense but was unsuccessful. Later, he discovered through the 12309 public prosecution inquiry system that the case had already been submitted for approval of arrest. 

On July 30, lawyer Yuan Mao met with Pastor Huang Yizi and learned that he had received the arrest notice the previous day. The procurator questioned him on Monday, July 28, and decided to proceed with the arrest the next day, Tuesday. 

Unusual Speed in Prosecutorial Approval

Lawyer Yuan expressed surprise and thought the prosecutor’s efficiency of handling this case was unusually “high”, and it took only one or two days to decide on the arrest. He noted that if the arrest request was submitted on Friday, the procuratorate used only four out of its allotted seven review days, including the two day weekend. Lawyer Yuan remarked that he had never encountered such swift arrest approval before, especially since other suspects in the same case had not yet received arrest decisions. 

Pastor Huang Yizi’s wife, Yang Aili, also received a phone call on the same day informing her of her husband’s arrest. 

Lawyer Yuan speculated that either the prosecutor worked overtime over the weekend on the case or the arrest request was submitted earlier than Friday. However, since he has been unable to reach the case handling officer, he can only make assumptions. 

Lawyer Yuan Mao added that despite multiple visits to the Pingyang Public Security Bureau and the Pingyang Procuratorate to raise concerns over the issue, he has not been able to meet with any personnel involved in the handling of the case. He reiterated that the procuratorate’s failure to consider the lawyer’s opinion renders the arrest unlawful. 

Context: Sermon Audio Players and Religious Censorship

In China, due to stringent censorship on religious content on the internet, churches face difficulties in sharing the gospel online. Some Christians have developed sermon audio players preloaded with sermons and hymns. These simple-to-use devices are particularly appreciated by elderly Christians with deteriorated eyesight or those unable to attend physical gatherings, making them a vital tool for spiritual devotion. Churches promote these devices not for profit but as part of their ministry. 

Legal Expert’s Assessment

Lawyer Fang Xiangui commented: “Religious persecution no longer even tries to hide behind a veneer of legality.” 

(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng for ChinaAid)

Attached: Arrest Notices for Huang Yizi and Li Yongfeng

To: Huang Yizi’s family: 

Through the Approval of Pingyang County People’s Procuratorate, on July 29, 2025, at 18:00, this bureau executed the arrest of Huang Yizi, on suspicion of “illegal business operations”, and is currently detained at Pingyang County Detention Center. 

Pingyang County Public Security Bureau 
July 30, 2025 

Notes: Location of Detention Center: Shitang Village, Kunyang Town, Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province 

Hand this over to the family of the arrested

To: Li Yongfeng’s family: 

Through the Approval of Pingyang County People’s Procuratorate, on August 1, 2025, at 16:00, this bureau executed the arrest of Li Yongfeng, on suspicion of “illegal business operations”, and is currently detained at Pingyang County Detention Center. 

Pingyang County Public Security Bureau 
August 1, 2025 

Notes: Location of Detention Center: Shitang Village, Kunyang Town, Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province