An influential Protestant church in China has reported that prominent leaders were arrested amid a growing crackdown on underground church movements. On Tuesday, nine members of the Early Rain Covenant Church were detained after police raided their homes and the church office in Chengdu. As of Wednesday, five had been released.
Meanwhile, around 1,000 miles away in Wenzhou, authorities began demolishing the Yayang Church building, as documented in video released by the non-profit organization ChinaAid, which monitors religious persecution in China.
The recent arrests follow previous waves, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's continued push to eliminate churches that do not conform to its ideology, according to various Christian groups. Reports indicate that church leaders are being swiftly detained without prior warning, a stark contrast to previous iterations of the crackdown where individuals would often receive warnings, fines, and then detention down the line.
The BBC reached out to China's embassy in the UK for comments regarding these events, but no official statements have been made regarding the arrests or the demolitions in Wenzhou.
China has promoted atheism and imposed strict regulations on religions. As of 2018, the government estimated that there were 44 million Christians in the country, but it is unclear if this figure includes members of unregistered churches.
Historically, the Party has pressured Christians to join state-sanctioned congregations led by government-approved pastors. Observers note that the crackdown has noticeably intensified under the current administration, with recent incidents signifying a more aggressive stance against unauthorized congregations.
Li Yingqiang, the current leader of Early Rain Covenant Church, recently expressed concern over potential crackdowns, urging members to prepare spiritually for potential hardships. He and his wife remain among those detained, with the church calling the raids a 'concerted operation' but stating that the specifics of the charges remain unclear.
In Wenzhou, authorities have deployed heavy machinery, including bulldozers and cranes, to dismantle part of Yayang Church. Reports suggest that hundreds of armed and special police officers were stationed outside the church during the demolition process.
Known as 'the Jerusalem of China,' Wenzhou boasts a large Christian population. However, inhabitants near Yayang Church have been displaced, and workers in the vicinity are reportedly being instructed not to document the demolition.
The Chinese government has previously targeted large underground church networks, with significant arrests occurring just weeks before these incidents. Activists emphasize that this escalation is indicative of a broader campaign to eradicate Christian churches unless they are fully aligned with the Communist Party's ideology.
Authorities have been noted for earlier arrests of church members during significant crackdowns, contributing to a climate of fear amongst religious practitioners. Reports also indicate that the government is increasingly imposing stringent regulations on religious broadcasting and activities, further consolidating control over religious expression in the country.
Meanwhile, around 1,000 miles away in Wenzhou, authorities began demolishing the Yayang Church building, as documented in video released by the non-profit organization ChinaAid, which monitors religious persecution in China.
The recent arrests follow previous waves, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's continued push to eliminate churches that do not conform to its ideology, according to various Christian groups. Reports indicate that church leaders are being swiftly detained without prior warning, a stark contrast to previous iterations of the crackdown where individuals would often receive warnings, fines, and then detention down the line.
The BBC reached out to China's embassy in the UK for comments regarding these events, but no official statements have been made regarding the arrests or the demolitions in Wenzhou.
China has promoted atheism and imposed strict regulations on religions. As of 2018, the government estimated that there were 44 million Christians in the country, but it is unclear if this figure includes members of unregistered churches.
Historically, the Party has pressured Christians to join state-sanctioned congregations led by government-approved pastors. Observers note that the crackdown has noticeably intensified under the current administration, with recent incidents signifying a more aggressive stance against unauthorized congregations.
Li Yingqiang, the current leader of Early Rain Covenant Church, recently expressed concern over potential crackdowns, urging members to prepare spiritually for potential hardships. He and his wife remain among those detained, with the church calling the raids a 'concerted operation' but stating that the specifics of the charges remain unclear.
In Wenzhou, authorities have deployed heavy machinery, including bulldozers and cranes, to dismantle part of Yayang Church. Reports suggest that hundreds of armed and special police officers were stationed outside the church during the demolition process.
Known as 'the Jerusalem of China,' Wenzhou boasts a large Christian population. However, inhabitants near Yayang Church have been displaced, and workers in the vicinity are reportedly being instructed not to document the demolition.
The Chinese government has previously targeted large underground church networks, with significant arrests occurring just weeks before these incidents. Activists emphasize that this escalation is indicative of a broader campaign to eradicate Christian churches unless they are fully aligned with the Communist Party's ideology.
Authorities have been noted for earlier arrests of church members during significant crackdowns, contributing to a climate of fear amongst religious practitioners. Reports also indicate that the government is increasingly imposing stringent regulations on religious broadcasting and activities, further consolidating control over religious expression in the country.
