A reformed presbyterian church in China celebrated the release of Jiang Rong, wife of Pastor Wang Yi, in June, although the church has claimed that state persecution of its members is still continuing.
In a statement from Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC), Jiang Rong and another female church member, Li Xiaofeng, were finally freed on bail after spending six months in custody.
They and more than 150 other members of their church, in Chengu, Sichuan, were detained in December 2018. According to reports, the two women are still facing trial.
Five more members remain in detention: Pastor Wang Yi (also known as Wang Li), elders Li Yingqiang and Qin Defu, deacon Ge Yingfeng and church member Gou Zhongcan. Twenty-three others have been released on bail and 28 have served periods of administrative detention.
According to the church, On June 4, which marked the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, Early Rain families were ordered not to leave home or meet with others.
Police surveillance was stepped up, some houses had their power and water cut off, and at least two further members were detained for questioning for a few hours.
