China Intensifies Clampdown of 'Illegal' Church Activities
China has witnessed an increase in the number of “illegal” Christian groups who have been arrested across the country after a crackdown ordered by the Chinese Government last month, reports a leading Chinese persecution watchdog.
Since mid-July, a string of arrests and other forms of persecution in at least eight Chinese provinces has taken place including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi and Anhui, according to China Aid Association (CAA). At least 17 Christian leaders of unregistered churches have been detained.
Chinese Christians are only allowed to worship in Communist-controlled churches. All activities outside of designated churches are deemed illegal and members of the underground church face fines, imprisonment and sometimes even torture....