(Xi’an, Shaanxi Province — September 3, 2025) It is reported that the fraud case involving Pastor Gao Quanfu of Xi’an Zion’s Light Church and others has been extended. The Xi’an Beilin District Procuratorate has already notified defense lawyer Zhang Kai’s team that the investigation period will be prolonged by one month, and the case will be transferred to the procuratorate on September 23.

Background of Zion’s Light Church and Pastor Gao

Zion’s Light Church was founded by Pastor Gao Quanfu and has a history of more than forty years. Pastor Gao Quanfu was also among the second batch of signatories to A Joint Statement by Pastors: A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith, initiated by Pastor Wang Yi in 2018.

Arrests and Ongoing Detentions

Since May 16 of this year, Pastor Gao Quanfu, along with ten fellow pastoral coworkers, as well as his wife Pang Yu, have been taken in for investigation by the National Security Brigade of the Beilin District Public Security Bureau. They were detained at the Beilin District Detention Center on charges of “fraud.” Of the ten coworkers initially placed under criminal detention, eight have been released on guarantee pending trial, though they continue to face frequent summons and questioning. Pastor Gao Quanfu and Pastor Tang Bingyi have been in custody and have been formally arrested for over two months. Meanwhile, Pang Yu is under strict surveillance at her home, with her freedom of movement severely restricted, all identification documents confiscated by the police, and no ability to meet relatives or communicate normally with the outside world.

Obstruction of Legal Representation

During the handling of the case, Xi’an police restricted defense lawyers from meeting with their clients, refused to communicate with the lawyers, and even attempted a “cross-province” action to obtain the agreement between lawyer Zhang Kai and his client, which lawyer Zhang Kai refused. In response to numerous violations, infringements, and illegal actions by the case handling authorities, Zhang Kai’s legal team has filed a complaint with the petition office of the Beilin District Public Security Bureau and has received a reply stating that those involved in the case will be held accountable.

Reported by Special Correspondent Ning Meng for ChinaAid