A Christian bookseller has received a seven-year prison sentence for alleged illegal business activities.
Zhang Xiaomai was arrested last year for operating the online ‘Xiaomai Bookstore’ selling Christian literature.
The Linhai City People’s Court recently handed Xiaomai a seven-year sentence because of his store, which sold more than 20,000 books to at least 10,000 people. The court also ordered Xiaomai to pay a fine of 200,000 Yuan (over $40,000AUD).
“This is not the first case of a religious bookseller being given a jail sentence. However, seven years and a hefty fine is rare,” a secret source told Open Doors.
“The online sale of Christian books has been curtailed by the Chinese government for some time. But the Chinese people would find ways to make it available on some online platforms. One of the problems with importing books, however, is that they do not have a China-issued ISBN identification number. They are therefore illegal and targeted by the authorities.”
Officials reportedly checked shipping receipts and tracked down customers of the book shop for evidence, demanding some of them to return books they bought.
Despite the enormous risk, Chinese Christians are finding any way they can to reach Christian material. Please pray for them.
Pray For China:
- Praise God that many are trying to learn more about Him through Christian material, no matter the cost.
- Pray for safety and perseverance of Zhang Xiaomai as he faces a long prison sentence.
- Pray more people may hear about the gospel and be strengthened in faith and boldness.
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