(Guangzhou – May 27, 2026) Authorities in Guangzhou, a major city in southern China, have released three Christians on bail pending trial in a case involving Christian books and religious materials.
Three local church members – Zheng Zhoulin, Li Yuesui, and Xiong Zhuo – have been charged by authorities with “illegal business operations” for allegedly producing, selling, and distributing religious publications, as previously reported by ChinaAid News.
On May 20, all three defendants were granted release on bail pending trial, following preliminary hearings on May 14 and a prosecutorial review that concluded on May 16.
The decision surprised some family members, supporters and church members who had been praying for the defendants.
According to the church members’ defense lawyer, prosecutors concluded the evidence did not sufficiently establish a profit-making motive.
Religious freedom advocates, including Texas-based nonprofit ChinaAid, say Chinese authorities increasingly use economic-crime charges such as “illegal business operations” against unregistered religious groups and independent publishers.
Supporters of the defendants previously circulated a statement from a foreign national who identified himself as the project’s primary organizer and said the three Christians were not principal decision-makers.
The statement did not acknowledge wrongdoing but accepted responsibility for the publishing project. It stated that the materials focused exclusively on faith, scholarship, and Christian apologetics and contained no political content.
Under Chinese legal procedures, the case could be dismissed after one year if police fail to submit additional evidence during the bail period. Supporters said the releases may signal authorities intend to close the case.
However, it remains uncertain whether police will expand their investigation to include other individuals connected to the case.
ChinaAid welcomed the release of the three Christians and expressed hope the case would be resolved fairly. The organization also urged authorities in other regions to reconsider similar prosecutions involving Christian publishing activities.
Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international, Christian nonprofit human rights organization that inspires, informs, and invites people to transformative action on behalf of persecuted people of all faiths in China.