China: Christian bookseller arrested in Beijing
Jan 08 2008
Postings >> China

A Christian bookseller operating within government restrictions has been arrested at his shop near Beijing's Olympic village.

Chinese officials have not yet told Shi Weihan's family the charges against him – but his wife believes his arrest has something to do with his refusal to register his house church. A female employee at the bookstore, Tian Hongxia, was also detained.

Shi, 37, opened the Holy Spirit bookstore in a north Beijing office tower in March 2006 and has only ever sold books for which he had government permission, according to his friends.

Shi's Antioch Eternal Life Church meets in a room next to the store and has a congregation of between 20 and 30 people. His church does not have the government's seal of approval. But as Shi's wife Zhang Jing told USA Today, 'If we register, the government would supervise us and demand reports on speakers and all attendees.'

His family has learnt that Shi is being held at the Qinghe Detention Centre in Beijing in a cell with no heat and was not issued with any clothing. When his family protested, they were accused of 'neglecting' Shi by not providing any clothes for him. He is also being subjected to sleep deprivation, says China Aid. The prison authorities had to be lobbied hard before they agreed that Shi could be given medicine daily for his diabetes.

Police have reportedly confiscated Christian literature from his store and home. Zhang and their two daughters, aged seven and 11, have gone into hiding.

Thank God for Shi's bold witness. China Aid reports that since his detention Shi has shared the gospel with more than 20 prisoners.

Ask for God's protection over Shi's family and the rest of his congregation.