Reflections from Pastor John Cao

For three years, Pastor John Cao would often cross China’s border into Myanmar under the knowledge of authorities in order to serve thousands of children living in poverty. However, that was until March 2017, when CCP authorities arrested and charged him with “organizing illegal border crossings.” He was sentenced to seven years in prison in March 2018. International groups including the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission advocated for his release as he was targeted by Chinese authorities for his Christian faith.

In 2021, he began writing poetry regularly while imprisoned in Kunming. He reflected on his imprisonment, his previous mission of building schools, his family, and, of course, his faith. ChinaAid was able to publish the writings in Living Lyrics: Poems from Prison. 

Though he was released from prison in March 2024 after completing his sentence, he continues to face unlawful restrictions on his freedoms and movement by Chinese authorities.

After seven years behind bars, he still finds solace in writing. As he grapples with his newfound freedom and restrictions, he will send his reflections and poetry to ChinaAid for publishing.