Not even being part of the government-controlled Christian organization protects communities with a modicum of independence from repression.
At the end of May, police arrested six Christians from Huainan City, Anhui—Zhao Hongliang, Shang Lei, Xu Yongshui, Xu Kehong, Yang Tongguang, and Huang Yuling—and transferred them to the procuratorate for prosecution on charges of intentional destruction of property.
These individuals are part of the Covenant Church in Panji District, Huainan City, which is officially registered and affiliated with the government-controlled Three-Self Church.
The Covenant Church’s attempts to stop the removal of their cross and to contest the stringent enforcement of laws prohibiting minors under 18 from entering churches were unsuccessful. Consequently, Pastor Zhao Hongliang lost his status as a community leader, the police dismantled the church plaque, and surveillance cameras were installed in the place of worship.
Some believers, unhappy with the cameras, damaged them. In late February, those considered responsible were detained, and they have since been formally arrested, with their cases now transferred to the prosecutor’s office.
This incident illustrates that even Three-Self churches are not immune to the ongoing repression facing Christian communities.
Source: Bitter Winter
