ChinaAid Alleges Imprisoned Pastor May Have Advanced Liver Cancer, Family Denied Access

The founder of the Christian human rights organization ChinaAid has expressed grave concerns regarding the health of an imprisoned Chinese pastor, citing reports that he may be suffering from advanced liver cancer. The pastor's family is reportedly facing continued restrictions on visitation and access to medical information.

Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, stated that information received from multiple sources inside China is "very worrying." Pastor Wang Yi, the founding pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, has been imprisoned since December 2018 and is serving a nine-year sentence for charges of inciting subversion of state power and illegal business operations.

Fu indicated that while reports of advanced liver cancer are considered credible by ChinaAid, the organization has not been able to independently confirm the diagnosis due to restrictions on access to Wang. ChinaAid first raised public concerns about Wang's condition on September 28, urging Chinese authorities to grant his family access and disclose information about his medical treatment.

Prison officials reportedly communicated by telephone on October 1, stating that a medical examination had been conducted and indicated Wang was in good health. However, his family has not been permitted a new in-person visit to assess his condition independently. According to Fu, despite repeated requests from Wang's wife and relatives, no meeting has been granted since the latest health concerns emerged.

Early Rain Covenant Church acknowledged the reports in an October 3 open letter but stated they could not determine if Wang had fallen ill. The church called for prison authorities to permit regular family visits, correspondence, and telephone calls, and to provide information on any necessary medical care. The church also noted that Wang's family has had fewer than five visits during his nearly eight years of imprisonment.

Fu described severely restricted visitation, characterized by brief and closely monitored meetings. He alleged that discussions about Wang's health or religious beliefs have led to abrupt terminations of visits. "Two years, not a single letter for his wife," Fu said, highlighting the communication restrictions and stating, "That's not acceptable. That's even a violation of its own law."

Wang was arrested on December 9, 2018, during a crackdown on Early Rain Covenant Church, an independent Protestant congregation operating outside China's state-sanctioned religious system. In December 2019, a Chinese court sentenced him to nine years in prison. At the time, the U.S. State Department condemned the conviction, linking the prosecution to Wang's advocacy for religious freedom and calling for his release.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom lists Wang as a religious prisoner of conscience and has documented reports of medical neglect.

Fu also expressed concern for Wang's wife, Jiang Rong, who was detained during the initial crackdown. He stated she had previously been subjected to residential surveillance at a police-arranged location, rather than being allowed to remain in her own home, and described the lasting emotional consequences.

Fu urged Chinese authorities to permit Wang's wife, son, and elderly parents to meet with him privately, allow an independent medical examination in the presence of legal counsel, and release his medical records, including information on medications administered during his imprisonment. He also raised broader concerns about the mistreatment of other prisoners of conscience, including allegations of forced medication and serious physical and psychological harm, although these were presented as broader concerns rather than established facts regarding Wang.

Fu called on the Trump administration to raise Wang's case directly with Chinese officials during upcoming diplomatic engagements. He pointed to the July release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, who was reunited with his family after President Donald Trump reportedly raised his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a May visit to Beijing. Fu believes this demonstrates the potential impact of direct diplomatic intervention.

Trump and Xi are expected to attend upcoming international summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leader's meeting and the G-20 summit. Fu urged U.S. leaders not to allow trade and security negotiations to overshadow concerns about religious freedom and human rights.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Chang said the embassy had no information to provide regarding Wang's specific case. The spokesperson defended China's religious policies, stating the government protects freedom of religious belief under Chinese law and opposes foreign interference in its domestic affairs. The embassy did not directly address questions about Wang's reported medical condition, family visitation, or the possibility of an independent medical examination.

The U.S. State Department did not respond to requests for comment by press time.