Concerns are growing for a Chinese pastor serving a nine-year prison sentence following reports that he has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer.
Christian persecution watchdog CSW has called for the immediate release of Pastor Wang Yi, who leads Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, so he can receive medical treatment.
He was arrested in December 2018 during a crackdown on the unregistered church in Sichuan Province, when more than 160 Christians were reportedly detained over two weeks. He was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison for inciting subversion of state power and illegal business operations. He is due to be released in 2027.
According to Christian persecution charity ChinaAid, his wife has faced severe restrictions on visiting him at Jintang Prison.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "We call for his immediate release so that he can receive medical treatment, with full information being made available to his family and church regarding his diagnosis and health condition."
Meanwhile, CSW said the authorities have continued to target members of Early Rain Covenant Church, which is estimated to have at least 500 members.
On 23 September, two church members, elder Wu Wuqing and Shen Xiaoqing, were released after spending 10 days in administrative detention.They had been detained for taking part in a Bible reading group at a teahouse, which authorities regarded as illegal religious activity. Both were fined, while nine other people detained in connection with the gathering were released without fines.
Thomas added: "We unreservedly condemn the crackdown of the Chinese Communist Party and authorities on unregistered churches throughout China, and the arbitrary detention and arrest of church leaders and members for engaging in peaceful everyday religious activities and gatherings."
