(June 5, 2026 – Anhui Province) The wives of three detained leaders of Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang, a city in eastern China’s Anhui Province, have appealed to U.S. and European diplomats to observe their husbands’ upcoming criminal trial.
In letters dated June 3, Xu Chao, wife of Pastor Zhang Sen; Li Yunyan, wife of Pastor Chang Shun; and Li Mei, wife of Elder Ma Tao, invited eight ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in Beijing to attend the June 9–12 proceedings at the Fuyang Intermediate People’s Court or send embassy staff as trial observers.
Pastor Zhang Sen, Pastor Chang Shun, and Elder Ma Tao have been detained since June 29, 2025, as previously reported by ChinaAid News. Prosecutors have charged the three leaders of the independent Protestant Maizhong Reformed Church with “organizing illegal gatherings,” citing activities that included officiating weddings for fellow Christians and welcoming a believer after his release from detention for religious activities.
The women wrote that the charges stem from peaceful religious ministry protected under both the Constitution of China and internationally recognized principles of religious freedom. “We humbly urge you to observe this trial in person or send embassy staff as observers,” they wrote. “Your presence would send a powerful and encouraging message in support of religious freedom and the rule of law.”
The diplomatic appeal follows earlier efforts by the families to draw international attention to the case. On May 11, the pastors’ wives published an open letter during President Donald Trump’s May visit to China seeking international scrutiny of the prosecution and the upcoming trial.
Following publication of that letter, the women reported increased surveillance and harassment. Xu Chao, Pastor Zhang Sen’s wife, said unidentified individuals repeatedly appeared outside her residence and appeared to monitor her daily activities.
“The courageous appeal by these Christian wives is a powerful reminder that behind every prisoner of conscience stands a family bearing the heavy burden of injustice,” said Bob Fu, president of Texas-based nonprofit ChinaAid.
Fu said the charges stem from “routine pastoral activities that should never be criminalized.” He urged U.S. and European diplomats to send trial observers, saying international scrutiny can help promote transparency, accountability, and respect for religious freedom.
The letters were addressed to U.S. Ambassador David Perdue, European Union Ambassador Jorge Toledo Albiñana, Dutch Ambassador André Haspels, German Ambassador Patricia Flor, French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary, British Ambassador Peter Wilson, Swiss Ambassador Krystyna Marty, and Swedish Ambassador Per Augustsson.
In recent years, Chinese authorities have increased pressure on unregistered house churches such as Maizhong Reformed Church through criminal prosecutions, administrative penalties, surveillance, and restrictions on religious gatherings.
ChinaAid urges the international community to closely monitor the June trial and calls upon Chinese authorities to release individuals detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their religious faith.
Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.
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