(Linfen, Shanxi — June 20, 2025) ChinaAid Association expresses deep concern over the recent harsh sentencing of several Christians from Linfen Golden Lampstand Church in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, on charges of so-called “fraud.” We believe this case reveals an intensifying campaign by the authorities to suppress unregistered religious groups. The motives and methods behind this crackdown warrant serious attention from the international community.
We regret to see that authorities in Linfen city have pressed criminal charges under the guise of “fraud” against members of these churches and handed down heavy sentences. In reality, this is an attempt to obscure the systematic suppression of independent faith communities. These rulings not only cause profound harm to those directly involved and their families, but also raise grave concerns about the state of religious freedom and judicial independence in China.
ChinaAid Association asserts the following:
1. False Charges and Excessive Sentences
Ten members of the Linfen Golden Lampstand Church were convicted of “fraud,” with Brother Li Shuangping sentenced to nine years and two months. The charges center on voluntary offerings collected during church worship—an act with clear spiritual significance in Christian faith and church tradition. There were no identifiable victims, nor clear evidence of illegal gain. Labeling these voluntary offerings as “fraud” or “illegal fundraising” is both legally and logically unfounded.
2. Procedural Violations Undermine Judicial Fairness
Serious legal violations occurred during the trial process. Reports indicate that a deputy court president pressured defense lawyers to withdraw from the case, accelerating trial proceedings without properly upholding the right to defense—undermining the core principle of judicial independence.
3. Pretrial Agreements Broken and Witness Rights Violated
Linfen Golden Lampstand Church members Li Jie and Han Xiaodong received sentences of three years and eight months—far exceeding the terms reportedly discussed before the trial. In addition, witnesses scheduled to testify were forcibly taken away by plainclothes officers, seriously disrupting legal proceedings and violating their rights. This is deeply alarming.
4. Lack of Transparency in Sentencing
Most of the verdicts were announced secretly within detention centers. Defendants and their lawyers were not formally notified, and no legal counsel was present to observe the sentencing. This process lacked the necessary transparency and legitimacy required by law.
5. Systematic Religious Suppression
Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife, Minister Yang Rongli, have both been imprisoned multiple times in the past for their faith. Their church, Linfen Golden Lampstand Church, was forcibly demolished in 2018. Linfen Golden Lampstand Church has also long faced pressure for maintaining its independent stance. This case is not isolated—it is part of a broader campaign by Chinese authorities to target unregistered house churches.
6. Mislabeling of House Churches
The Linfen Civil Affairs Bureau has designated house churches as “illegal social organizations” and relies on the government-run “Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee” to determine the legitimacy of clergy. This contradicts the principle of religious self-governance. Based on this designation, the Linfen Public Security Bureau has launched extensive crackdowns, including closing down fellowships and pursuing criminal charges, which is deeply concerning.
ChinaAid Association calls on the Chinese government to:
Respect the constitutional right to religious freedom and immediately drop the false charges against the affected church members. Ensure their right to a fair trial is protected under the law.
Cease systematic repression of religious groups not registered with the government, and safeguard their freedom to assemble and worship as long as public order is not disrupted.
Promote judicial independence and prevent state power from interfering in legal proceedings.
Carefully assess the long-term impact of current religious policies on social stability and national image.
Learn from international best practices to foster a constructive relationship between religion and the state within the framework of the Constitution.
We also call on the international community, foreign governments, human rights organizations, and the media to:
- continue monitoring this case,
- urging the Chinese government to address these issues and honor its international commitments to religious freedom and human rights.
ChinaAid remains committed to providing necessary support to those persecuted and their families. We stand firm in our belief in freedom of faith, justice, and compassion. Even when people are unfaithful, God remains faithful—
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).