Contact: China Aid Association, Inc., 267-205-5210, 432-686-8355 fax, info@ChinaAid.org, www.monitorchina.org; Daniel Burton 432-689-6985

XILINHAOTE CITY, Inner Mongolia, Feb. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid has learned that the President of the Inner Mongolia Branch of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Wang Dawei, was detained along with more than 40 co-workers on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. The leaders were in the 3rd day of a Bible study when more than 100 Police officers from the State Security Bureau and members of the Religious Affairs Bureau disrupted the meeting and detained the ministers. Police officials also confiscated the offering collection and more than 30 boxes of Bibles and other Christian literature. Security Bureau members then searched the personal residence of Wang Dawei later on in the afternoon. The leader of the meeting, a South Korean minister, was also detained during the incident, his whereabouts remain unknown.

Photo: Wang Dawei

The intensity of persecution amongst members of the Chinese House Church Alliance continues to increase as the Beijing Olympics draw near. This latest incident highlights the hypocrisy of Chinese officials who promote a "Harmonious Society" while simultaneously persecuting innocent and patriotic citizens such as Wang Dawei and others. We urge the Chinese Government to release these Christians and remain consistent with its own rhetoric on Religious freedom and rule of law.

For more information contact:

Wang Dawei: 1-375-419-7497
Wang Dawei's Daughter:  1-394-794-1911

Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202) 588-9760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

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