HRF condemns the arrest of Pastor Xianfeng Edward Cui, founder of Beijing Jiaquan Church, and calls on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to immediately and unconditionally release him and end its persecution of Christians who peacefully practice their faith.
Pastor Cui was arrested on Oct. 23 on fraud charges after being detained during a Sept. 4 police raid involving around 100 officers. His wife, Jin Young Gu, said the allegations concern church members’ offerings and are likely tied to the congregation’s unregistered status.
Founded in 2006, Beijing Jiaquan Church has faced years of government pressure. In 2019, officials sealed its worship facility, forcing members to gather in smaller groups. In 2023, officials warned Pastor Cui that the congregation was too large and instructed him to lead a church with fewer than 100 members.
HRF stands firmly with Pastor Xianfeng Edward Cui and others unjustly detained for exercising their freedom of religion. Pastor Cui’s arrest is part of the CCP’s broader campaign to bring religious groups under its control. In October 2025, the regime detained 30 leaders of Beijing’s Zion Church. These cases reflect the growing pressure on Christians who seek to worship independently, outside of state-controlled religious institutions.
