CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-245970
Wang Yi
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Religious Figure · Public Commentator
Record ID
CNHRA-P-245970
Biography
Wang Yi is pastor of Chengdu’s Early Rain Covenant Church and a writer on religious freedom and public affairs.[1]
Early Rain Covenant Church was founded in 2005 and declined official registration and Three-Self affiliation. Wang discussed religious freedom and public affairs through preaching and writing.[1]
Early Rain members organized worship, preaching and mutual assistance. Amnesty describes it as an unregistered house church.[1]
Wang’s My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience is dated September 21, 2018, revised October 4, with instructions for publication after forty-eight hours in detention. It presents the church’s mission as evangelism and witness, says his aim is not to change China’s political or legal institutions, and advocates nonviolent refusal of commands interfering with faith while accepting the resulting punishment. China Partnership published its English translation on December 12.[3]
Case Summary
Amnesty describes December 2018 raids, questioning or custody affecting about a hundred members and demands that some pledge not to attend. Chengdu’s intermediate court imposed nine years on December 30, 2019.[1]
The church published the prepared statement on December 12, days after police action.[1]
The court used inciting-subversion and illegal-business charges, while Amnesty regarded the punishment as directed at peaceful belief and expression. Religious-freedom advocacy also follows access to him.[1][2]
Timeline
2018-12
Police action targets the church
Police raided Early Rain’s premises, followed by questioning or detention of about a hundred members, including Wang. Amnesty reports demands that some pledge not to attend again.[1]
2018-12-12
Church publishes his prewritten statement
Days after the raids, the church published Wang’s statement prepared months earlier about faith, possible charges and coercion.[1]
2019-12-30
Sentenced to nine years
Chengdu’s intermediate court imposed nine years on inciting-subversion and illegal-business charges. Amnesty regarded the punishment as directed at peaceful belief and expression. That assessment differs from the court’s findings, and the case follows a wider campaign against the church.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-132936Amnesty International
Evidence location: Background: 2018 raids, December 12 statement and nine-year sentence on December 30, 2019.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-892681US Department of State
Evidence location: Body: Early Rain pastor, 2019 sentence and religious-freedom position.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-156850China Partnership
Evidence location: Declaration, appendix, drafting and revision dates; translation credited to Amy, Brent Pinkall and the China Partnership team.