Dear Friends, Thank you to each of you who are praying, giving and advocating on behalf
of our brother, Shi Weihan, and his wife Zhang Jing, and two daughters,
Shi En'Mei (Grace--who is an American citizen) and Shi Jia (Lily). There
has been some progress in this case. As you know, Shi, a Christian Chinese businessman, who owns a Christian
bookstore and also works as a travel agent, is in his second week of
detention by the Chinese police (the Public Security Bureau). Shi was
originally held without formal charges and in an undisclosed location.
The family was denied access to him to provide legal counsel, diabetic
and blood pressure medicine he needs and warm clothing to insure his
health. The police refused to tell the family where he was being held or
exactly what he was being charged with. Over the past several days, there has been quite a public outcry from
Shi's friends and clients in several countries, echoed by extensive news
media coverage and resulting in some foreign governments' raising concern
with the Chinese government on Shi's behalf. News articles regarding
Shi's plight appeared in USA Today, on World Net Daily and Compass
Direct's web news sites and on numerous websites and blogs that report on
persecution and human rights issues. After a near two week delay, the police finally provided the family with
some information and a little relief. The following updates were made
known to us in the last 48 hours. 1) We now know that Shi is being detained at the Qinghe Detention Center
northwest of Beijing in an unheated cell with several other prisoners.
This is a prison that has been known for its harsh and brutal treatment
of prisoners. 2) The family was allowed to leave medicine and warm clothing with the
police to deliver to Shi. 3) A Family Notice of Detention was finally provided. Although it was way
past the required time for its delivery, at least now the attorneys have
something to start on to conduct his legal defense. 4) Shi's lawyer was allowed to visit him in prison and reports that he is
in fair condition and that he has finally begun receiving his medicines
daily. 5) Shi received the clothing the family sent him, but has since passed
most of it along to prisoners he felt had a greater need of the items
than he did. This indicates to those that know him that the police have
not broken his spirits! 6) Shi has reportedly already shared the gospel with at least 20 of the
prisoners. As long as you're in prison, you might as well start a prison
ministry! 7) He is being offically held on "suspicion of illegal business
practices" although no formal charges have been filed yet and his
detention is already several days beyond the time allowed before a
prisoner must be formally charged or released. 8) The suspected real reason for his detention is to allow the police to
investigate his Christian activities and to interrogate him for
information about other active Christians he may know. One of Shi's associates--Tian Hong Xia--is also being held under similar
conditions in relation to this case. Her family's bank accounts were
frozen and they now have need of financial assistance. Funds were loaned
to her family to help with her legal defense. Little more is known about
her well being or whereabouts at this time. | 
