Officials Overlook Changchunli Church Members

ChinaAid
October 14, 2010

SHANDONG — On the afternoon of October 12, 2010, five believers attempted to give a report to the Shandong Provincial Party Committee (PPC). The report was pertaining to the events which occurred on September 23, 2010, when 27 members of Changchunli Three-Self Church were injured at Wanda Square by people claiming to be police officers; three of the members, who were aged 70 or older, sustained serious injuries and needed to be rushed to the hospital. When they attempted to submit this information to the Shandong PPC, the gatekeeper did not allow them to enter and refused to notify anyone inside about the believers’ request. The church members then asked the gatekeeper to simply forward a letter to the Shandong PPC, but again he refused to comply with their request.

Later that afternoon, the same group of believers went to the Standing Committee of Ji’nan Municipal People’s Congress to deliver a letter accusing 110 police officers who were involved with the attack of abuse. The gatekeeper told the Christians that the Secretariat of the Municipal and General Office had moved. They then contacted the Office of Letters and Calls, but were told to try again the next day because the office was relocating, and that letters and calls from petitioners were only accepted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

In fact, the believers were not intending to petition the authorities. They simply wanted to report the incident that occurred at Wanda Square. They have patiently and lawfully followed the correct procedure of letters and calls. So far, government officials have been unresponsive; the Bureau of Letters and Calls in Ji’nan told Changchunli Church members that they have a 60-day window in which to give a response. Due to the urgency of the situation, the believers cannot afford to wait that long. As of now, they are still trying their hardest submit letters to officials at various levels.

The photo above was taken in front of the gate at the Standing Committee of the Municipal People’s Congress. The church members planned to take photos in front of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee as well, but the guard at the gate would not allow them to do so.

ChinaAid requests that the Shandong Provincial Government and the Ji’nan Municipal Government acknowledge the members of Changchunli Church. Believers around the world are encouraged to stand in prayer with these oppressed Christians.