(Zhejiang – June 26, 2025) Pastor Huang Yizi of Fengwo Church in Shuitou Town, Pingyang, Wenzhou, was taken away by authorities again today. His wife, Lin Aili, revealed that pastor Huang has been charged this time on suspicion of “illegal business operations.” It is reported that along with Pastor Huang Yizi, Sister Ding (a pastor’s wife) from Taizhou and Brother Li Yongfeng were also detained.
Prior Conviction (2014)
Pastor Huang Yizi was previously sentenced to one year in 2014 on charges of “gathering a crowd to disturb social order” for opposing the forced demolition of church crosses by Wenzhou authorities.
Arrest and Home Search Details
In a prayer request letter, Pastor Huang’s wife, Lin Aili, described in detail the process of his arrest and the search of their home. Around 9:00 AM today, Pastor Huang was taken away by Pingyang police shortly after leaving home. About half an hour later, more than ten personnel from Pingyang Public Security, Lucheng State Security, and Liming Police Station, including one officer disguised as a food delivery worker (Officer Lin Huan, badge number 37720), forcibly entered pastor Huang’s residence to conduct a search. Pastor Huang’s wife, Lin Aili, noted that present at the scene were a female officer with badge number 036923 and a male officer with badge number 036899; however, several of the other intruders refused to reveal their names and remained unidentified.
Forced Search, Surveillance Tampering & Coercive Seizure
During the search, police unplugged the charging cable of the surveillance camera at the entrance of Pastor Huang’s home. Five or six officers pinned his wife, Lin Aili down on the sofa and forcibly seized her phone, causing visible bruises on her arm. After the search, the police forcibly demanded that she delete videos and photos she had taken to document their actions, threatening to confiscate the phone if she refused. In addition, the authorities took items from the home without providing a list of confiscated property and denied Sister Lin permission to photograph them for record-keeping purposes. Lin Aili earnestly requests fervent prayers from brothers and sisters for this matter.
History of Repeated Suppression
Pastor Huang Yizi has previously suffered repeated suppression by the authorities. During the 2014 wave of cross removals in Zhejiang Province, he was arrested in August of that year for organizing Christian resistance and was sentenced to one year in prison for “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.” Less than a month after his release, on September 12, 2015, he was again detained, this time accused of “stealing, prying into, purchasing, or illegally providing state secrets or intelligence to foreign entities,” and was placed under residential surveillance at a designated location for nearly five months.
Even after his release, Pastor Huang Yizi’s personal freedom remained restricted. He has continued to face surveillance, summons, and the risk of further arrest. Authorities frequently disrupt his online preaching broadcasts.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng of ChinaAid)
