Pastor John Cao's seven year prison sentence sustained 

On July 25th, the Pu'er Intermediate People's Court in Yunnan province sustained the seven year sentence of Pastor John Cao.

This decision came shortly after it was learned the appeal process would be carried out as a "trial session on paper only." The court was surrounded by a heavy police presence. Only Cao's 83 year old mother, sister, and lawyer were allowed to hear the verdict.

Last year, Cao was sentenced to seven years behind bars on an "organizing illegal border crossings" charge, which he appealed.

Cao and his colleague, Jing Ruxia, were seized by Chinese authorities as they attempted to cross the border from Myanmar's Wa State into China, an act Cao had completed several times before with no interference from the government. Cao is highly regarded in Wa State for the 16 Christian schools he helped found, servicing around 2,000 impoverished minority students.

According to Cao, the arrest was the first time authorities intervened in his frequent border crossings. Many think Cao’s Christian faith made him a target for officials. Reports say Cao’s health has suffered severely during his time in custody. The effects of detention has led to hemorrhoids, constipation, and the loss of half a tooth.

Lawyer Yang Hui fears additional time extensions for the case places Cao’s health at further risk. ChinaAid continues to urge the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally free Cao and allow him to reunite with his family in the United States. ChinaAid asks members of the free world to push for his release.

Below is a photo of John Cao