Pastor with Terminal Illness Faces Travel Restrictions Amidst US-China Diplomatic Talks
As the diplomatic stage is set for a critical meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, humanitarian concerns rise to the forefront with the case of Pastor John Cao, a 60-year-old facing stage four cancer, unable to reunite with his family in the United States due to restrictions imposed by Chinese authorities.
Pastor Cao, who has been a permanent US resident for over 30 years, completed a seven-year prison term in China in 2024. His imprisonment stemmed from accusations of “illegal border crossing” related to his humanitarian efforts establishing educational institutions along the China-Myanmar border. Despite his release, Chinese authorities have withheld his passport, effectively barring him from leaving the country.
This travel restriction is reportedly tied to an incident in 2024, where Pastor Cao was detained and interrogated following a police operation targeting an unregistered church. During this event, he was accused of “illegal evangelism” and performing public baptisms.
Pastor Cao’s family, consisting of his wife and sons, resides in the US, where they hold citizenship. In light of his critical health condition, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), alongside other religious organizations, is appealing to the US administration to prioritize his case in the upcoming talks with China.
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy, expressed grave concerns over the situation, stating, “CSW condemns the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy of imposing exit bans on religious leaders across China to restrict freedom of religion and belief in an attempt to silence and prevent voices speaking out about human rights abuses in China on the international stage.”
Stangl further urged immediate action, emphasizing the need for the Chinese government to return Pastor Cao’s passport to facilitate his return to his family in the US. She also called upon President Trump to bring this issue to the forefront during his discussions with President Xi, scheduled to commence on September 24 in Washington DC.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
