Jakarta –
A leading Protestant church in China said its leaders had been arrested by Chinese authorities. The series of arrests shows the Chinese Communist party’s determination to eradicate churches that do not align with its ideology, Christian groups say.
A total of nine people were detained on Tuesday (06/01), after police searched their homes and church offices in Chengdu, central China, the Church of the Early Rain said. Five of them were released the day after.
More than 1,500 kilometers from Chengdu, Chinese authorities razed the Yayang Church building in Wenzhou. The incident was captured on video obtained by ChinaAid, a non-profit institution that monitors religious-based violence.
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The BBC has contacted the Chinese Embassy in the UK for comment. Chinese authorities have not issued any statement regarding the arrests or demolition of the church in Wenzhou.
Based on Chinese government data, there were 44 million Christians in the country in 2018. Though, it is indeed not clear whether this figure includes Christians who attend underground churches.
The Chinese Communist Party has long pressured christians to join only government-approved churches and pastors.
Though, Christian groups say the pressure has increased considerably.
At least two church leaders in China have told the BBC that authorities are quickly arresting unlicensed church leaders.
in the past, these individuals would first be warned, then fined, and finally arrested if they still refused to obey orders.
Getty imagesunder Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has tightened control over religious communities.
Just a few weeks ago, Li Yingqiang, leader of the Church of the Early Rain, admitted to “sensing a storm coming” and referred to “another massive repression.”
“I sincerely hope that no more of our families have to experience such a storm,” he wrote in a letter to church members in November 2025.
“But as an elder appointed by God to stand among you… my job is to remind you all to prepare before the storm returns.”
Li and his wife, Zhang Xinyue, are among four
China’s Crackdown on Unregistered Churches
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The Chinese government continues to suppress unregistered Christian churches, intensifying its control over religious practices and targeting both leaders and congregations. This crackdown, escalating since 2018, aims to enforce religious activities within state-sanctioned organizations and suppress those deemed a threat to social stability.
early rain Covenant church and the Arrest of Wang Yi
The Early Rain Covenant Church, founded in 2008 in Chengdu, Sichuan province, became a focal point of the government’s crackdown. Authorities raided the church in December 2018, arresting Pastor Wang Yi and his wife, Jiang Rouying.
Wang Yi was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison in January 2019 on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.” The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the sentencing, calling it a “blatant violation of religious freedom.” Jiang Rouying was placed under house arrest and later released, but continues to face restrictions.
Example: on december 10, 2018, over 100 members of the Early Rain Covenant Church were detained during the initial raid, according to radio Free Asia.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs and Regulations
The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), under the State Council, enforces regulations governing religious organizations. Revised Regulations on Religious Affairs, which came into effect on september 1, 2017, significantly tightened control over religious activities.
These regulations require all religious groups to register with the government and adhere to socialist principles.Unregistered religious activities are considered illegal. The regulations also restrict religious education and prohibit foreign interference in religious affairs.
Detail: Article 6 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs states that “religious organizations shall not develop religious activities beyond the scope approved by the registration authorities.”
Wider Targeting of protestant Churches
The crackdown extends beyond the Early Rain Covenant Church to numerous other unregistered Protestant churches across China.Authorities have demolished church buildings, confiscated property, and arrested church leaders and members.
In 2023, The Guardian reported widespread demolition of unregistered churches in several provinces, including Henan and Shanxi. These actions are part of a broader effort to “Sinicize” religion, meaning to adapt religious doctrines and practices to conform to Chinese culture and socialist values.
evidence: According to a Open Doors USA report, China ranks 16th on its 2024 World Watch List, indicating a ”very high” level of persecution of Christians.
Legal Framework and Penalties
The legal basis for the crackdown rests on laws related to national security and social stability. The Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China criminalizes activities deemed to “disturb social order” or “incite subversion.” These broadly defined offenses are often used to justify the suppression of religious freedom.
Penalties for operating an unregistered church or engaging in unauthorized religious activities can include fines, imprisonment, and the confiscation of property. Individuals accused of “inciting subversion” can face lengthy prison sentences, as demonstrated by the case of Pastor Wang Yi.
Fact: In 2019,at least 30 members of unregistered churches were sentenced to prison terms exceeding one year,according to Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty.