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Christian fined for sharing pastor's sermon on WeChat

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Franklin Wolf | Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom | China Aid Advisory Board website

On July 18, 2024, Sister Gu Ti, a Christian from Guang’an City, Sichuan Province, was administratively punished by the Guansheng Police Station of Guang’an District Branch of Guang’an Public Security Bureau for forwarding Pastor Wang Yi’s sermon video in a WeChat group and was fined 200 yuan.

The administrative penalty decision letter from Guansheng Police Station that Gu Ti received called her a “law perpetrator” and stated: "The above facts are confirmed by Gu Ti’s statements and defenses, witness testimony, WeChat screenshots and other evidence."

According to The Provisions of Article 54, paragraph 1, item (1) of the “Public Security Administrative Punishment Law of the People’s Republic of China”, Gu Ti is now fined 200 yuan. The enforcement method and deadline are that Gu Ti will go to the Agricultural Bank of Guang’an District to pay a fine of 200 yuan. If the fine is not paid within the time limit, an additional fine of 3% of the fine amount will be imposed every day, and the amount of the additional fine shall not exceed the original amount of the fine.

"If you disagree with this decision," reads the letter, "you can apply for administrative reconsideration to the Guang’an District People’s Government within 60 days from the date of receipt of this decision or file an administrative lawsuit with the Qianfeng District People’s Court within three months."

There are two errors in the administrative penalty decision. One is that “Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church” is written as “Chengdu Early Rain Holy Music Church”; the other is that “posting the ‘Zoom’ platform room number in the group” is written as “posting in the group ‘Zoo’ platform room number”. This shows that "the police at the station are not rigorous in their work and lack Internet knowledge."

Gu Ti is described as a Christian who is willing to “do justice, love mercy, and walk with humility.” She participates actively in preaching and voluntary blood donation. She has also won second prize in the “Free Blood Donation Knowledge Online Competition” organized by the Guang’an Municipal Government.

The Internet Kingdom Prayer Meeting "China’s Five O’clock in the Afternoon" issued an intercession prayer for Gu Ti’s administrative punishment.

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