Families of Zhang Sen, Chang Shun and Ma Tao in the Anhui Fuyang Wheat Seed Reformed Church case file a complaint over their continued inability to obtain Bibles in prison
On May 22, 2026, this outlet learned that the families of Zhang Sen, Chang Shun and Ma Tao in the Anhui Fuyang Wheat Seed Reformed Church case had filed a complaint because they have continuously been unable to obtain Bibles in prison.
According to a notice from Xu Chao, Zhang Sen’s wife: Zhang Sen, Chang Shun and Ma Tao have been detained at the Fuyang Detention Center for nearly 11 months and have continuously been unable to obtain Bibles! To defend their lawful rights and interests, on May 21, 2026, the families filed a complaint. When we took photos as a memento at the entrance to the Fuyang Public Security Bureau, a police officer saw us and ordered us to delete them, saying that we were “using visits to exert pressure and provoking trouble.”
The Anhui Fuyang Wheat Seed Reformed Church has repeatedly been suppressed by the authorities since 2021 because it adheres to the house-church position and refuses to join the Three-Self Church; on June 29, 2025, the church was raided by the authorities, and Pastor Chang Shun and Elder Ma Tao were criminally detained; on July 9, 2025, Pastor Zhang Sen was arrested; in October 2025, Pastor Zhang Sen, Pastor Chang Shun and Elder Ma Tao were transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution on charges of organizing illegal gatherings. A pretrial conference was held on May 7, 2026.
This outlet will continue to follow the Anhui Fuyang Wheat Seed Reformed Church case.
Related Reporting
Aug 30, 2026
China Rights Defense Network: Monthly Report on Political Prisoners and Prisoners of Conscience in Mainland China (August 31, 2026), Issue 131 (1,638 people in total)
The Rights Defense Network Information Center released its 131st monthly report on August 31, 2026, stating that 40 people on the previous roster had completed their sentences and been released, 30 had new developments while in prison, six had been newly criminally detained or forcibly disappeared, 28 had been newly sentenced, and one had died in prison; the report lists a total of 1,638 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in custody.
Aug 30, 2026
Case Details and Biography of Sun Chao, Christian Church Preacher in Qujing, Yunnan, Criminally Detained
Sun Chao, a Christian preacher at Philadelphia Church in Qujing, Yunnan, was transferred to criminal detention on August 7, 2026, after completing a 12-day administrative detention for preaching the Gospel. Authorities reportedly cited suspected “illegal organization of gatherings.” Sun, who has epilepsy and requires regular medication, is detained at Xuanwei City Detention Center. His wife, Zhao Ying, has appealed for attention to his health and rights.
Aug 29, 2026
Li Qiaochu: Update on Xu Zhiyong’s Situation in Prison (August 29, 2026)
The writer received a letter from Xu Zhiyong dated August 21, 2026, saying his outdoor time had improved to 10 a.m. daily for 30 minutes. Correspondence had also become smoother than during the previous two months. The writer considers the matter closed for now but plans to continue asking about Xu’s basic living conditions. Xu reportedly liked hand-drawn pictures sent with a letter in late July.
Aug 29, 2026
Chow Hang-tung: Statement of Plea
The author rejects a 206-page judgment that, they argue, treats belief in ending one-party dictatorship as unconstitutional and criminal. They say law cannot control thoughts, condemn obedience to authoritarian power, and describe ending one-party dictatorship as a responsibility of Hong Kong and Chinese people. The author refuses to apologize for these beliefs, accepts possible imprisonment, and vows to continue pursuing democracy, accountability for the 1989 massacre and a democratic Hong Kong and China.



