US Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, issued a statement urging Beijing to release all political prisoners. Speaking on International Political Prisoner Day, Moolenaar cited cases including activists and a pastor as evidence of increasing repression in China and Hong Kong. The statement honors dissidents imprisoned for exercising basic rights. The bipartisan committee, established in January 2023, focuses on strategic competition and human rights issues between the US and China. Western allies have repeatedly called for the release of these detainees.
Three independent bookshops in Hong Kong have announced closures this month, reflecting intensified scrutiny under the national security law. Luckwin Bookstore in Mong Kok, operating for 48 years, will shut by December 31 after losing its Hong Kong Book Fair participation rights. Yulin Bookstore and Hunter Bookstore also ceased operations, while Liuxia Bookhouse closed in August following a police raid. In July, security forces searched two shops and arrested five people, who were later released on bail. ChinaAid states that these closures highlight the shrinking space for independent publishing and free expression in Hong Kong since the 2020 law was enacted.
According to ChinaAid and the International Campaign for Tibet, lawyers representing a Tibetan entrepreneur have been denied access to him again after he has been imprisoned for over 18 years. He was sentenced to life in 2008 following protests in a city in the region. His sister recently staged a sit-in at the regional high court to demand a retrial and visitation rights. The group states that authorities have pressured the family to delete online posts and have threatened arrest. Human rights organizations describe the case as an example of political persecution against ethnic minority business owners in the region.
A pastor from a church in Beijing wrote a letter from a detention center in China, detailing severe overcrowding, poor hygiene, and inadequate medical care. Arrested in a city in southern China, he described inmates living in cramped spaces with limited food and exposure to loudspeaker noise. According to ChinaAid, the pastor interprets his suffering through a theological lens, urging believers to remain steadfast. The report highlights the ongoing pressure on religious groups in the region.
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US officials in Washington commemorated the 28th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act. Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that religious freedom remains a core pillar of US foreign policy. The 1998 law established mechanisms to monitor global violations, including designating countries of particular concern. China has remained on this list since 1999. The event highlighted the US commitment to defending the right to practice faith without fear, citing the nation's historical connection to Christian traditions.
The daughter of a detained lawyer in China published a statement detailing the impact of the 2015 crackdown on legal professionals. She describes losing her father for seven years and her mother’s subsequent death. She demands that Chinese authorities overturn wrongful convictions, investigate alleged judicial misconduct, and restore rights to affected citizens. She urges the international community to monitor the case to ensure legal accountability and prevent future abuses. The article highlights the long-term trauma inflicted on families by the arrests. (Source: ChinaAid)
According to ChinaAid, a human rights activist is reportedly suffering forced labor and abuse in a prison in Henan Province. His wife visited him and found him emaciated with injured hands, hearing him plead for help. The group states he is forced to work fifteen hours daily despite prior injuries. He was sentenced to three years for picking quarrels. Activists are calling for an investigation into these conditions and proper medical care for the detainee.
A major rights organization released its annual report, noting a global decline in internet freedom for the sixteenth consecutive year. Evaluating numerous countries, it identified two specific nations as having the lowest scores, with digital environments described as the worst globally. Users in these regions face severe legal consequences for basic online activities, such as sharing news or discussing religion. While one Asia-Pacific territory ranked highest in its region, another country saw significant deterioration due to recent political unrest. The group urges democratic nations to protect digital rights against authoritarian censorship.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on UnsplashPersecuted church
A house church elder in China was released after serving a 16-month sentence for organizing illegal gatherings. He was arrested during a police raid on a Sunday service. Two other church leaders remain imprisoned. This case reflects continued pressure on underground churches in China since stricter religious regulations were implemented in 2018. The elder faces ongoing surveillance after his release, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by unregistered congregations in the region.
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According to ChinaAid, authorities in a city in Jiangxi province raided a private home gathering of an unregistered church. Approximately forty armed police officers detained more than twenty attendees, including the church leader. While some believers were released that evening, the leader and several key associates remain in custody without formal legal documentation. The group states this incident highlights the ongoing crackdown on unregistered religious activities in China. ChinaAid president Pastor Fu Huiqiu noted that such raids demonstrate the strict enforcement against non-official religious groups, raising concerns about legal transparency and the rights of citizens.
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In a city in Jiangxi province, China, authorities raided two house church meeting points. Armed police detained numerous individuals, including two prominent church leaders. While most detainees were released, the leaders remain in custody following criminal detention notices. They were charged with illegally crossing the border after traveling to Indonesia for a theology course. This case highlights increased government scrutiny of unofficial religious groups and their overseas connections, demonstrating the risks faced by believers engaging in international religious education.
China Aid Association, led by founder Bob Fu, is organizing the 2026 International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Church in the US and China. The event will take place at a church in Texas and online via Zoom and YouTube. It aims to support believers facing persecution in mainland China and other regions. Guests include pastors from various churches who will lead prayers for imprisoned clergy and their families. The organization urges global participants to join the service to advocate for religious freedom and show solidarity with suffering Christians.
A family church in a city in China was forced to vacate a meeting site in a specific district after members were reported for distributing evangelistic materials. Police seized Bibles and supplies without providing an inventory list and pressured the group to leave, despite a valid lease. A pastor was questioned about funding and attendance, with threats made regarding his children. The unregistered church, established years ago, has faced repeated disruptions over two decades. Authorities cited public order violations, while the property management and police have not publicly responded to the allegations.
In China, families and lawyers of a prominent church case question judicial credibility after bail promises were not fulfilled. A defendant signed a plea agreement under pressure from prosecutors who promised probation and release. However, court hearings were canceled and delayed, leaving her detained for over two months. Her husband, a pastor, alleges that authorities used false promises to induce guilty pleas, raising concerns about procedural fairness. While the judicial bureau deemed the defendant low-risk, a local court has refused to release her without clear justification. Aid organizations report that other detainees are facing similar pressures, sparking doubts about the integrity of the legal proceedings.
A Christian writer in a city in Sichuan province was administratively detained for three days by local state security authorities. The detention cites alleged activities endangering national security. His wife reported that police searched their home and expressed severe distress over the uncertainty of his treatment. An aid organization states this incident reflects the ongoing pressure on unregistered religious workers in China. The group urges international attention to protect religious freedom and stop harassment of grassroots believers. The writer is scheduled for release shortly after the detention period.
Human rights lawyers in a city in China confronted police outside a local court regarding the trial of underground church leaders. The legal team, including several prominent attorneys, was blocked from entering and had their phones confiscated while attempting to document the scene. They represent pastors facing fraud charges. The lawyers allege procedural violations, including excessive pre-trial detention and failure to notify defense counsel. According to ChinaAid, these actions reflect broader difficulties for unregistered religious groups in China to receive fair legal treatment. The lawyers plan to continue filing complaints against the judicial misconduct.
A human rights lawyer reports intensified surveillance in China following his release from prison in August 2025. After checking into a guesthouse in a city in Fujian province, local police visited his room to verify his identity. The lawyer also alleges he was followed by unidentified men in another city in Sichuan province. His wife confirms that authorities are harassing him to exert psychological pressure. He was previously sentenced for border crossing violations. He recently filed complaints against several high-ranking officials in the region, claiming the actions constitute political persecution and retaliation for his whistleblowing activities.
A pastor from an unregistered church in Shanxi province, China, was released after a 15-day administrative detention. Authorities arrested him at his home, citing suspected involvement with illegal religious activities. This case highlights ongoing persecution against house churches that refuse to register with state-sanctioned organizations. The pastor had previously served time for border violations and faced earlier detentions. While his release marks the end of the penalty, local authorities continue to monitor and suppress the community. The incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by believers who maintain their faith outside official channels in the region.
In a city in China, police raided a hotel where church members were rehearsing for an anniversary. Approximately one hundred officers detained eight core members, including the founding pastor, on allegations of fraud. According to ChinaAid, this crackdown highlights the severe restrictions facing unregistered house churches in China. The pastor’s wife has been barred from re-entering China since 2023. The detained individuals have hired lawyers, and their legal proceedings are ongoing amid intensified state control over religious activities.
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