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TechnoratiThe clock is winding down on the start of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
On Aug 8, the historic Games will begin. Over 500,000 visitors will flock to Beijing and 10,000 competitors will participate in 203 events in 28 sports. It will be the most expensive Olympics in history – China has spent $40 billion upgrading infrastructures in and around Beijing.
For China, it was suppose to be a “coming out” party. When China was awarded the Games in 2001, the state news agency reported: “The Games will be a milestone in China’s rising international status and a historical event in the great renaissance of the Chinese nation.”
But the months leading to the start of the Olympics have hardly improved China’s image in the world. In March there were violent riots in Tibet and later disruptions during the international leg of the Olympic torch. Also, China’s attention was diverted by a devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province on May 12.
Foreign media has focused attention on China’s poor human rights record. But almost forgotten has been China’s persecution of Christians.
Although China has made improvements in the area of religious freedom issues over the past several years, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom says that in the last year Chinese police detained 600 Protestants and sentenced 38 to more than a year in prison. This year China is ranked No. 10 on Open Doors’ World Watch List which annually ranks the severity of persecution of believers in 50 countries. In the past year there has been a concerted, on-going campaign by China to scrutinize house church leaders and to silence some believers. Here is just one example. There is a prominent Christian, Shi Weihan, who is currently detained in a Chinese prison. On March 19, Shi was re-arrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature. The 37-year-old bookstore owner had been released in January following his arrest on Nov. 28, 2007, due to “insufficient evidence.”
Under his Holy Spirit Trading Company, Shi ran a Christian bookstore, a printing press and travel agency. The bookstore is located near the Olympic Village and Shi never had any problems with authorities before his arrest last November.
His bookstore operated legally and it sold only books for which he had obtained government permission. His printing press, however, printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorization for distribution to local house churches. Last January, Shi was concerned about publishing the unauthorized books, but because the churches needed them, he felt the risk was worth taking.
Pastors from house churches and official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) congregations have reported a shortage of Bibles and other Christian materials in Beijing, the northwest, the northeast and the southwest. Church growth in tribal areas also has created an urgent need for Bibles in minority languages.
Shi never had any plans to protest during the Olympics. Shi and his house church have been free to worship and have been under no pressure to stop the church or register it. However, Shi’s many foreign relationships formed during his time as a travel agent may have caused suspicion from Chinese authorities.
The China Aid Association (CAA) reported on April 28 that authorities were holding Shi at the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre as a “dangerous religious element,” thinking he may try to cause a stir during the Olympics. A long-time friend dismissed the allegation as contrary to Shi’s gentle, patriotic nature.
A father of two, Shi has been held without any family visits. His wife, Zhang Jing, has received no word on her husband’s condition, and she has been prohibited from bringing him any food or clothing since his re-arrest. Until the end of April, Shi had also been denied a visit from his attorney.
Adding to his family’s stress is the intimidation they are experiencing from being under surveillance by the Public Security Bureau. They are followed wherever they go, even when Zhang sends her daughters to school. The movements of Shi’s lawyer are also being monitored to ensure that he will not make contact with any foreigner or groups overseas. The PSB tell him, though, that they are only doing that in order to “protect him” so that his work will not be interrupted.
On June 19, the three-month deadline for a hearing expired and Shi’s hearing never took place as expected on the last day. Therefore, Shi is now being held illegally.
Open Doors is urging Christians in the United States to email Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Whenzong to express their concern over the status of Shi, including access to medical care and medicines, adequate clothing, visitation rights for his family and a fair and prompt trial. To send an email and for more information, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
It is not too soon to ask: What will happen after the Olympic Games?
Open Doors’ China director says: “I expect that the pressure on the Church will again be reduced and that China will continue to modernize. We also hope that Christian books will finally become available. But there are no signs which indicate that we can expect any more changes in the area of freedom of religion. China is becoming increasingly open, but this applies mainly to secular China. Despite the persecution, the Chinese Church is and remains very positive. The Christians are continuing to tell their fellow-citizens about God and the Bible.”
The gold, silver and bronze medals will be handed out to the fortunate few during the Olympics. But the true winners are those Christians who stand strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness….”
Dr. Carl Moeller is president/CEO of Open Doors USA
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