Nelson Wells Receives Eight-Month Sentence Reduction
Nelson Wells Jr., an American detained in China since May 2014, was granted an eight-month sentence reduction on September 18, 2026. For years, Dui Hua has advocated for his early release with the Chinese government. The reduction comes amid continued appeals from his family, who remain concerned about his deteriorating health.
Wells, from Louisiana, was convicted on drug-smuggling charges and initially sentenced to life imprisonment. His sentence was commuted to 22 years in 2019, with release previously expected in 2041. He is serving his sentence in a prison in Chongqing. His family says he is battling serious illnesses and his parents continue to urge US officials to secure his return home.
Eight Detained for Fraud in Beijing Church Anniversary Raid
The detention of eight members of Beijing’s Jiaquan Church (佳全教会) marks yet another case in China’s intensifying religious crackdown. In an open letter, Pastor Zhou Zixun (周子逊)’s South Korean wife said more than 100 police officers raided a hotel conference room on September 4, 2026, where about 50 congregants were preparing for the church’s twentieth anniversary. She also described repeated closures of the church’s worship venues and difficulties facing their family, saying refusals of her family reunion visa have prevented her from entering China for three years.
Seven church workers were taken away during the raid, while Zhou, whose real name is Cui Xianfeng (崔献峰), was summoned separately. Two workers were later released, but two others were detained, leaving Zhou and seven church workers in criminal detention on suspicion of fraud. The church was founded in 2006.
Chen Yunfei Formally Arrested After Detention During Gansu Trip
Human rights activist and Early Rain Covenant Church member Chen Yunfei (陈云飞) was formally arrested in Chengdu’s Wenjiang District on September 23, 2026, on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” His relatives learned of the arrest from state security officers but had not received a written arrest notice. Authorities have not disclosed the specific conduct alleged to constitute “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”
Chen was placed under twelve days of administrative detention in Gansu on August 5 while traveling. When that detention ended on August 17, he was transferred to Chengdu police and subsequently placed in criminal detention. His precise place of detention remains unclear. A participant in the 1989 democracy movement, Chen has been repeatedly imprisoned and subjected to surveillance and harassment.
Wu Huaiyun Receives Another Four-Year Sentence After Brief Freedom
Anhui online writer Wu Huaiyun (吴怀云) has received a four-year prison sentence and was transferred to Anhui Women’s Prison in September 2026. She was detained again in May 2025, only months after completing an earlier sentence. The charge underlying her latest conviction and the date of sentencing remain unclear.
Wu, known online as “Xinyue Baiyun” (心悦白云), previously served three years and ten months for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” over posts on Twitter, now X. After her release in January 2025, police reportedly continued visiting her home and questioning her about her internet activity before detaining her again.
Huang Xueqin Completes Prison Term but Remains Deprived of Political Rights
Journalist and #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin (黄雪琴) completed her five-year prison sentence on September 18, 2026. She had been held at Guangdong Women’s Prison. Although her prison term has ended, she remains subject to four years’ deprivation of political rights, extending to September 2030. The initial report did not confirm whether she had returned home.
Huang was detained on September 19, 2021, a day before she planned to leave for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. On June 14, 2024, the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced her for “inciting subversion.” Her case involved gatherings to discuss social issues with labor activist Wang Jianbing (王建兵), who received three years and six months in prison for the same offense.
Qin Weijin Released After Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Disbarment
Guangxi lawyer Qin Weijin (覃伟进) was released on September 12, 2026, after completing a two-and-a-half-year sentence. He was diagnosed with lung cancer on August 8 while imprisoned and reportedly underwent two rounds of chemotherapy. Following his release, he was described as having little appetite and being too weak to walk. The Guangxi Department of Justice revoked his law license on August 20, citing his criminal conviction.
Qin, a former judge based in Liuzhou, was detained on March 15, 2024, on suspicion of “inciting ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination.” He was subsequently sentenced for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” on May 25, 2025. He had previously supported fellow lawyers facing prosecution or disbarment.
Shi Tingfu Dies in Prison Months Before Scheduled Release
Nanjing human rights defender Shi Tingfu (史庭福) died in Xinjiang’s Shahe Prison on September 22, 2026, less than four months before his scheduled release on January 14, 2027. Prison authorities reportedly told his son that he had died of a heart attack. His son, who had recently visited him, said Shi appeared well and had reported no discomfort.
Shi was detained on January 15, 2024, after helping fruit growers in Xinjiang defend their rights and sharing their petition materials with overseas journalists. He received a three-year sentence for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” A longtime advocate for democracy and human rights, he received the Cao Shunli Memorial Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2025.