Pastor Wang Yi faces health crisis in Chinese prison

Human rights organizations are raising alarms regarding the deteriorating health of Wang Yi, the founding pastor of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China. Reports suggest Wang may be suffering from advanced liver cancer while serving a nine-year prison sentence.

Wang has been imprisoned since December 2018 following convictions for inciting subversion of state power and illegal business operations. ChinaAid president Bob Fu stated that while the organization cannot independently verify the diagnosis due to restricted access, the reports from sources inside China are “very worrying.”

Family members and rights groups, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), have reported significant obstacles in accessing Wang. His wife has reportedly been granted only a single visit since his imprisonment began, and recent requests for in-person medical assessments have been denied. While Chinese authorities provided information via telephone claiming Wang is in good health, advocates argue he is being denied adequate medical care and that the lack of transparency regarding his condition is a violation of human rights.