Her case is based on a false accusation of “organizing others to cross the national border illegally.”
by Qi Junzao
The case of Beijing house church missionary Dong Yanmei, known among Christians as Ruhamah, has taken a troubling turn. Although the legally allowed period for preliminary detention has expired, authorities in Mianyang, Sichuan, have not released her, and her family and lawyer have received no explanation.
Dong, a native of Mianyang and a longtime Christian missionary at a Beijing house church, was arrested on March 23, 2025, along with three other believers. All four had previously traveled abroad using valid Chinese passports to visit Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea’s Jeju Island, which do not require visas for Chinese citizens. They also attended Christian gatherings during their trip.
The three believers who were arrested with her were released on bail weeks later. Only Dong remained in custody, and in May 2025, she was formally arrested on the charge of “organizing others to cross the national border illegally.” Her family has consistently rejected this accusation as baseless, noting that she entered and re-entered China through official border controls and that all her destinations were visa-free.
Now, nearly a year later, the situation has become even more alarming. The statutory detention period has lapsed, yet Dong remains in the Mianyang Detention Center without a court date, a formal accusation, or any official justification for her continued imprisonment.
Dong Yanmei has worked for years as a missionary and pastoral worker in a Beijing house church. Friends describe her as gentle, devout, and tireless in her ministry. Her family says she felt called to evangelism early in life and later moved to Beijing to help establish and shepherd a house church community.
Her overseas trip, entirely legal under Chinese law, has now become the basis for criminal charges. Her relatives emphasize that she used a passport issued by the Ministry of Public Security, passed through Chinese customs without incident, and entered Malaysia under its visa exemption policy.
Despite this, she faces accusations of “organizing illegal border crossings,” a charge increasingly used by authorities to penalize Christians who maintain contact with churches outside China.
Dong’s case is not unique. In recent years, “Bitter Winter” has reported a nationwide trend: Christians who travel abroad legally for short visits, conferences, or worship services are accused of “illegal border crossing” or “organizing illegal border crossing,” even when they fully complied with immigration rules.
This pattern suggests a coordinated effort to cut off Chinese house churches from international Christian networks, particularly those that offer training, fellowship, or theological support. The charge, originally aimed at combating human trafficking and smuggling, is now being used as a tool of religious repression.
Dong’s relatives have made repeated appeals, expressing both sorrow and determination. They insist that the accusations contradict the facts and urge authorities to ensure she receives fair treatment. They also call on Christians worldwide to pray for her.
As of now, officials have provided no explanation for why Dong remains detained beyond the legal limit. Her lawyer has not had access to case files, and her family has received no updates.
The lack of transparency raises serious concerns about procedural violations. The extended detention of a missionary whose only “crime” seems to be legal travel and participation in Christian gatherings abroad highlights the increasing pressure on China’s unregistered churches.
For now, one fact is clear: Dong Yanmei should have been released. She has not been, and no one has explained why.
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
