Pastor Wang Yi Receives Nine-Year Sentence

CHENGDU, SICHUAN — Chengdu authorities sentenced Pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison this morning, days after his secret trial.

Wang, who is the pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, was found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.” Both charges were given to him because of his position within the church.

Wang was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2018, along with 100 other members of his church. On Dec. 26, 2019, he was tried suddenly and secretly. Today, officials handed him a nine-year sentence along with three years of denied political rights and a 50,000 yuan [$7,000 USD] fine.

“This is a pure case of unjust religious persecution against a peaceful preacher of a Chinese reformed church,” ChinaAid Founder and President Dr. Bob Fu said. “This grave sentence demonstrates Xi’s regime is determined to be the enemy of universal values and religious freedom. We call upon the international community to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and hold this evil regime accountable.”

“The nine-year sentence to Pastor Wang Yi represents the harshest persecution to a Chinese house church pastor in more than a decade,” Fu added. “We urge Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback to condemn and take immediate action against this barbaric act by the Communist Party regime.

Recently, many of the church’s members have been mandated to meet with public security officials five times a day.

About ChinaAid

ChinaAid is an international non-profit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China; with the belief that religious freedom is the first freedom, which lays the foundation for all other basic human rights. By exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused, and spiritually and legally equipping the leaders to defend their faith and freedom, ChinaAid strives to promote religious freedom for all.