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The religion section of China's national police intelligence unit, the National Security and Defense Organization, identified several areas of "illegal activity," including religious publishing, donation collection, and sexual assault. Pastor Gong's original trial was held in secret, so human rights activists are unable to evaluate his case independently.

Li plans to make public 64 more reports of human rights abuses against South China Church members.

"Now that the court [in China] will allow a more thorough examination of Pastor Gong's case," he says, "Christians can push for more thorough legal reform and more prayer."

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Christianity Today's previous coverage of this story includes:

Chinese House Church Leader Granted Time to Appeal Death SentenceSentence likely to be commuted to imprisonment, but church remains in danger. (Jan. 8, 2002)

The State Department's 2001 International Religious Freedom Report on China said the "government seeks to restrict religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship and to control the growth and scope of the activity of religious groups."

See Christianity Today'sBearing the Cross article on persecution in China.

Freedom House gives an overview of rights in China.

On the day that Gong was to be executed, Chinese officials arrested a Hong Kong businessman for supplying Bibles to an "evil cult." Coverage includes:

Bible smuggler faces death penalty as China cracks down on banned sect — Sydney Morning Herald (Jan. 7, 2002)

China indicts man for Bible deliveries — The Washington Post (Jan. 6, 2002)

Chinese court indicts Bible pusher — Associated Press (Jan. 5, 2002)

The recent arrests come as China was sending signals that it was cutting back on religious persecution. Related Christianity Today articles include:

Free China's ChurchThe Communist country may ease some religious restrictions, but they still want an apolitical church. (January 3, 2002)

Communists May Recognize Independent ChristiansCommunist leaders in China are preparing to give formal recognition to unregistered religious groups, but house-church leaders are wary. (November 19, 2001)

Changes in China's Religious Policy Imminent?Several respected house-church leaders consulted about official registration. (November 16, 2001)

The London Guardian and Far Eastern Economic Review also have articles on China's apparent moves to be friendlier to religion.

Human rights groups have voiced strong protest against Beijing's selection to host the 2008 Olympic Games. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom statement depicts its deep disappointment with the Olympic decision.

Human Rights Watch answers questions concerning Beijing's selection and issued a press release challenging sponsors to make the games a force of change. The group's 2001 World Report on China said it "showed no signs of easing stringent curbs on basic freedoms."

For more articles on religion in China, see Christianity Today'sWorld Report.

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February 4 2002, Vol. 46, No. 2