Crackdown on Christian Churches in Zhejiang Province Intensifies
In a significant move against Christian congregations, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers, including SWAT and paramilitary units, conducted operations across at least 12 churches in Yayang Town, Zhejiang province. This operation resulted in the detention of hundreds of individuals, according to a report by a U.S.-based advocacy group.
Residents of Yayang Town report that officers from various districts, such as Hangzhou and Pingyang, were involved in the crackdown. The advocacy organization ChinaAid, led by rights activist Bob Fu, detailed that initial arrests began before dawn on Monday.
Over the first two days, several hundred people were detained, with at least four additional arrests by December 17. Roads surrounding a church were sealed off by SWAT forces, preventing access to Christians, and personal items were confiscated during the five-day operation, which saw a heavy police presence.
No official statements were released by the authorities during or after the mass detentions.
Information regarding the crackdown was reportedly removed swiftly from digital platforms, and communication was restricted. On December 15, a costly fireworks display took place, which residents believe was intended to distract from the raids. Videos of the display were circulated alongside posts from state-linked accounts with messages such as “Listen to the Party, follow the Party.” These accounts later described the event as a celebration of crime crackdown efforts.
Two individuals, Lin Enzhao and Lin Enci, were specifically targeted and described as leaders of a “criminal organization.” They were previously involved in church activities and were known for opposing the removal of crosses from church properties. The authorities labeled them as “gang-related,” but church members considered them protectors of religious freedoms.
Their opposition to the installation of national flags at churches was noted as a contentious issue. In a previous incident, the Yayang mayor led efforts to dismantle church structures to place the national flag, which church members viewed as an infringement of their rights.
This crackdown is part of the broader national “Five Entries and Five Transformations” policy, which mandates religious bodies to incorporate national laws and political directives into their practices. This policy has led to confrontations between churches and government officials in various regions.
The pushback from Christian groups in Yayang Town began in 2014, following a campaign to remove crosses from churches. In 2017, tensions escalated when local believers resisted the introduction of surveillance cameras, resulting in injuries during clashes.
Recent events culminated in a public rally on December 18 titled “Elimination of Six Evils,” which was marked by displays of police and riot units to emphasize the anti-crime narrative. Residents alleged they were pressured by officers to incriminate church leaders, and some posters falsely depicted the community as a cult.
The total number of formal detentions remains unclear, though initial reports suggest over 20 individuals may face charges.
In a related development in September, at least 70 Christians were arrested during separate raids on unregistered churches. The charges ranged from fraud to illegal assembly, as reported by Open Doors, an organization monitoring global anti-Christian activities. Among those detained, accusations included financial mismanagement despite no internal complaints being filed. This led to over 80 church groups halting their meetings, leaving only a few congregations active.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
