(Hohhot, Inner Mongolia – January 31, 2024) According to reports, on January 8, 2024, the lengthy trial of Wang Honglan and other Christians, on the charge of “illegal business operations” finally concluded after nearly 50 days. The verdict has not been announced yet.
From January 4 – 8, 2024, the trial entered the debate stage. The prosecutor first presented their opinion, contending that the defendants violated “Regulations on the Administration of Publication” and “Regulations on Religious Affairs”, disrupted the market order of the Bible and the state’s management of the publication market, and consequently undermined the socialist market economy order. The defendants were accused of committing the crime of illegal business operations. The prosecutor recommended a sentence of more than 5 years for Wang Honglan and others, and a sentence of less than 5 years for Li Chao.
After the prosecutor expressed their opinion, the presiding judge allowed Wang Honglan and others to express their opinions one by one.
In her statement in court, Wang Honglan thanked God, stating that she felt God’s love from the moment she believed in Jesus and responded to God’s love. She acknowledged the fact of giving away Bibles, initially one or two, and eventually it became dozens. Wang Honglan admitted to discussing with members of the Three-Self Church how to make Bibles accessible to people in remote areas. She acknowledged the fact of purchasing Bibles but stated that it was unrelated to others; it was an agreement reached between her and the Three-Self Church. Wang Honglan denied the accusation of receiving 50% of the Bible fund. The allegation of running a school to make money was also denied, with Wang asserting that the money she earned came from the sale of a taxi and was legal. She claimed that she was unaware throughout the process that selling Bibles at a discounted price was illegal and did not know which law she violated. She mentioned that she did not sell Bibles outside the church but only to Christians within the church.
The prosecutor says I am hiding behind the cloak of religion, but I don’t acknowledge that. God has helped me; I haven’t committed the crime.
The presiding judge said, “Wang Honglan, I hear you. Control your emotions, or else we’ll adjourn the session.”
Lawyer Zhao Qingshan, seeing Wang Honglan emotionally distressed, comforted her by saying, “God has already heard your cries.”
Other Christians undergoing trial also expressed their confusion about the charges against them during their statements in court. Wang Jiale couldn’t understand why doing good deeds would lead to imprisonment and hoped for a fair judgment from the court. He mentioned that if he genuinely violated the law due to his belief, he would accept it without complaints and go to prison with peace of mind. However, if simply helping others buy Bibles through bank transfers constitutes a crime, then he would lose confidence in the rule of law. Wang Jiale stated that he didn’t feel any humanity in the prosecutor’s opinion, which only highlighted the nationwide reach of the defendants’ sales network, but didn’t mention how much they helped people. He believes that what they did was very noble and honorable, without any criminal intent.
Liu Minna said, “We are not a criminal group; we all voluntarily participated in this ministry. Why are the sellers and buyers not facing any issues, not detained or administratively punished, while those who provided subsidies for the purchases are sitting here? You accused us of printing illegal publications, but I just picked up a delivery, and I absolutely deny the accusation. The simple flyers we handed out was defined as illegal publications without any basis. I do not admit this charge. The prosecutor says we are hiding behind the cloak of religion, please do not defame our faith. We are doing these things with God’s love, openly and honestly. Please respect our faith. We have been detained for three years, and we hope the court restores our innocence and provides justice.”
Yang Zhijun stated that there is no evidence proving their profit, and all the evidence is riddled with holes; none of it is valid. If the prosecution has concrete evidence proving their guilt, he would accept it willingly. He said, “We are Christians, and the Bible is sacred to us. Our purpose is for God’s word to change many people. Regarding the Three-Self Church in Hangzhou helping with the purchase of Bibles, initially, the funds were sent to us, which we found troublesome. In the later stages, the funds were directly sent to the manufacturer, and the Bibles were sent directly to them.”
Yang Zhijun continued. “I actually have a lot of emotions. I’m thirty-six years old, and I didn’t know there was a place called a detention center in the world. When I entered, I thought it was a prison. In my faith, even telling a lie requires confessing to God and facing the condemnation of conscience. Commit a crime is something Christians cannot justify to God.” He expressed that initially, he couldn’t understand why this group of people trying their best to please God ended up in a detention center for over two years. At one point, he thought he had severe depression. During that time, he considered ending his life, but the thought of his parents, wife, and children made him lose the courage. He said that the court is dealing with people’s lives. Later, he found the answers and reasons within his faith, sustaining himself to continue. He said, “Going to prison for faith, whether for three or five years, I am very willing in my heart. I have confidence in the court, but I have even more confidence in the Lord because He is the creator of all things.”
Ji Guolong said that the prosecutor has no evidence at all; it’s all speculation. Who is the one giving rewards? Who benefited? Where did the money go? The evidence chain cannot be formed at all. The accusations against himself and other Christians are simply made up charges without any basis.
Zhang Wang claimed that their purpose is not profit, and they are not willing to profit, nor have they made any profit. He personally subsidizes the price difference to provide Bibles to struggling Christians, considering it as serving God. He expressed that Wang Honglan loves young people and treats them like her own children. During the trial, they had simple meals with steamed bread and pickles for lunch. Wang Honglan would share her food with them. He mentioned that he has no regrets working alongside Wang Honglan for the sake of faith, even if it leads to death. According to the “Regulations on Religious Affairs”, Bibles should fall under the category of books. He admitted not knowing when the regulations came into effect and whether it had any relevance to them.
However, he pointed out that in Hangzhou, there is an individual named Zhang Guoyong in Hangzhou, who is a member of the China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement, has been selling Bibles without a license. He emphasized that he doesn’t know whether they violated the “Regulations on Religious Affairs” or engaged in illegal business operations.
Liu Wei expressed doubt about the professionalism of the prosecutor. He mentioned that the prosecutor’s sentencing recommendations were modified several times, and the prosecutor’s emotions significantly influenced the changes in sentencing. He and other Christians have no criminal motives or actions and have not disrupted market order. He criticized the prosecutor for covering up evidence flaws with situation explanations, labeling those with many objections as having a bad attitude towards confession and using their official power to vent personal grievances.
After the defense lawyers each presented their not guilty defense, the presiding judge allowed all the defendants to make their final statements.
Wang Honglan said, “Thank God for letting me live, and giving me the opportunity to speak. As a talkative person, they initially didn’t allow me to speak. This was an order from the investigation organ to the detention center. Presiding judge, Jesus asks me to speak the truth. Thanks to God who resurrected from death. I am afraid I am a poor talker, but I can sing. I appreciate this opportunity, and I am very grateful. The lawyers have accompanied us. Our God is almighty, and my tears are tears of gratitude. I thank the people in the audience. I lost consciousness after standing in the detention center for two hours, but the Lord helped me stay alive. I have been through a lot, but I fear my daughter hearing about it. Meng Xiaona and Liu Minna are by my side. I don’t know how many people are here because no lawyer came to see me. I hate myself for not knowing how to use a phone or computer. Why did I let others transfer money? Why didn’t I transfer it myself? On my birthday, my daughter brought me candy and eggs. I am grateful. I regret letting them transfer the money. I don’t know where Zhang Fangmei went, and I am very sad. I am accused of harming young people, and I can’t understand it.”
Wang Jiale said, “Thank you to the collegial panel for its tolerance and inclusiveness. I appreciate all my defense lawyers, the materials prepared by the prosecutor, and the companionship of my family. When national leaders meet with representatives of the China Christian Council and Three-Self Movement, it represents the state’s guarantee of faith and the sinicization of Christianity. This is the first trial in Inner Mongolia that has lasted so long, and the records are all directed towards our faith. Is it aimed at suppressing faith or illegal business operations? After 49 days of trial, the collegial panel, government leaders, and the review committee, should be very clear about the case files. We hope to receive a fair verdict.”
Liu Minna said, “If we have made mistakes, we are willing to face with any punishment. But we haven’t done anything wrong. If having faith is a crime, we are willing to live such life without any regrets. But we do not accept the charge of “illegal business operations”. The national emblem on the judge’s chair represents justice, and we hope to receive justice.”
Yang Zhijun said, “I thank all the lawyers for their efforts. I thank the court clerks, the collegial panel, and the prosecutor. I believe in God, and all glory to God.”
Ban Yanhong said, “Do good deeds without asking about the future. Be an upright, kind, and law-abiding person. I plead the court to give me a lenient sentence, so I can go back home to take care of my elderly parents and my children. I want to express my gratitude to the lawyers for your hard work.”
Liu Wei said, ” A clean hand wants no washing. The prosecution should not subjectively interpret and manipulate laws and regulations to achieve their own goals, and resort to harsh punishment when they are dissatisfied. Defense lawyers were summoned by the judicial bureau, but they still defended us and provided strong support. We have not committed the crime of illegal business operations. May God bless everyone who hears the gospel.”
Li Chao said, “We really intended to dedicate ourselves to serving the Lord. Go ahead and investigate whether we are bad people. Take a look at fellow inmates’ opinions about me. The leader said I am a good person. I believe other brothers in Christ are even better than me. Thank God for giving us such good lawyers and family members who attended the trial and sacrificed everything to be with us. I believe all of this is God’s will.”
In the end, Wang Honglan said, “I have not been afraid or weakened in the face of the difficulties permitted by God. Every night, I try to recall the names of the lawyers. Some names I can’t recall, but I remember Mr. Jia Lawyer, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Liu, Mr. Wang, and Mr. Fang. I apologize to God and the lawyers. I cannot walk out, and I tell my children to express their gratitude to these lawyers.”
She concluded her court statement by reciting the Apostle’s Creed.
