image source,Getty Images
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- Author, Kelly Ng
- Role, BBC reporter
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The United States has called on Chinese authorities to release 30 leaders of one of the largest underground church networks in the country. They were reportedly arrested in overnight raids in several cities over the weekend.
The US non-profit organization ChinaAid said that those arrested included a number of pastors and Zion Church founder Jin Mingri, who was detained after his home was searched by 10 police officers in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Chinese Communist Party promotes atheism and strictly controls religious activities. However, some Christian groups say this is the most severe wave of religious repression in decades.
Christians in China have long been pressured to attend only government-sanctioned churches, which are led by official pastors and must follow party guidelines.
It is unclear whether those detained have been formally charged, and Beijing has not yet responded to the incident.
The Zion Church said in a statement: “This systematic persecution is not only a blasphemy to the Church of God, but also a blatant provocation to the international community.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Sunday urging China to release the church leaders. He pointed out: “This crackdown once again shows that the CCP is hostile to Christians who reject the party’s interference in their beliefs and choose to worship in unregistered house churches.”
Former US Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also posted on the social platform X respectively to condemn the arrest.
When asked about the arrest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference on Monday (October 13) that he was not aware of the case.
He also said: “The Chinese government manages religious affairs in accordance with the law and protects citizens’ freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities. We firmly oppose the United States’ interference in China’s internal affairs on so-called religious issues.”
The outside world has also begun to question whether the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled to be held in South Korea at the end of this month will still be held as scheduled.
Under Xi Jinping, Beijing has increasingly cracked down on religious freedom, particularly targeting Christians and Muslims.
He said at the National Religious Work Conference in 2016 that the party should “guide religious believers to love the motherland and the people, safeguard the reunification of the motherland, safeguard the great unity of the Chinese nation, and serve the highest interests of the country and the overall interests of the Chinese nation.”
One of them is Zion Church. Jin Mingri founded the church in 2007 with only about 20 believers at first. Now it has grown into a network covering 40 cities across the country and about 10,000 believers. It is one of the largest underground churches in China.
In September 2018, the church was officially banned by the government for refusing to install surveillance cameras at its venue in Beijing. Kim Ming-ri and several church leaders were briefly detained at the time.
Since then, many branches of the church across the country have been investigated and closed. Kim Ming-ri’s family has immigrated to the United States for safety reasons, but he himself remains in China to continue pastoring and is prohibited from leaving the country.
Even so, Zion Church continues to meet in small groups and share sermons online.
ChinaAid described the unprecedented arrests across multiple cities as “the most extensive, systematic and severe wave of repression” against Christians in more than 40 years.
Fu Xiqiu, founder of the organization, said: “This round of nationwide repression is reminiscent of the dark ages when urban churches first revived after the Cultural Revolution more than 40 years ago.” He was referring to the “Great Purge” period in the 1960s and 1970s, when the country was plunged into violence and great turmoil.
Liu Chunli, Kim Ming-ri’s wife, wrote in a prayer letter that after learning that her husband was detained, she had “very mixed emotions – shocked, sad, angry, and full of worry.”
She said that her husband “just fulfilled the duties of a pastor faithfully…he is not guilty!” She also said that the hope of their family being reunited after being separated for more than seven years was once again dashed.
Many house churches in China have also spoken out, demanding the release of those arrested.
Zion Church pastor Long Jiangen, who now lives in the United States, said that Kim Ming-ri has long been prepared for such a large-scale suppression.
A few weeks ago, during a Zoom video call between the two, Long asked him what he would do if he was imprisoned and all church leaders were arrested.
Kim answered tomorrow: “Hallelujah! Because a new wave of revival is coming.”
What are the potential implications of these detentions for the future of unregistered Protestant churches in China?
Table of Contents
- 1. What are the potential implications of these detentions for the future of unregistered Protestant churches in China?
- 2. Influential chinese Underground church Leaders Detained: U.S. Calls for Release by Beijing Authorities
- 3. Recent Detentions and U.S. Response
- 4. Understanding China’s Underground Churches
- 5. Details of the Detentions – Known Information
- 6. U.S. Response and International Pressure
- 7. Ancient Context: Religious Persecution in China
- 8. Legal Framework and Restrictions
Recent Detentions and U.S. Response
Reports surfaced this week detailing the detention of several prominent leaders within China’s unregistered, or “underground,” Protestant church network. While the exact number and identities remain partially obscured due to the secretive nature of these groups, sources indicate the detentions target key figures in house churches across multiple provinces, including Henan, Shandong, and Zhejiang. The U.S. State Department has issued a formal statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these individuals, citing concerns over religious freedom violations. This action underscores the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China regarding human rights and religious persecution.
Understanding China’s Underground Churches
China officially recognizes five religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism – but only through state-controlled organizations. Churches operating outside of this framework, known as house churches, are considered illegal. These unregistered congregations often attract millions of worshippers, offering a space for religious practice free from government oversight.
* Growth of House Churches: The number of Christians in China has grown dramatically in recent decades, with many finding community in these self-reliant churches. Estimates suggest tens of millions of Christians worship in unregistered settings.
* Doctrinal Differences: Many house churches adhere to more conservative theological viewpoints than the officially sanctioned churches.
* Government Crackdown: The Chinese government views unregistered religious activity as a potential threat to social stability and Communist Party authority, leading to periodic crackdowns.
Details of the Detentions – Known Information
Information regarding the detentions is fragmented, largely due to the sensitivity of the issue and restrictions on reporting within China. However, several key details have emerged:
* Charges: While official charges haven’t been widely publicized, reports suggest the detained leaders are accused of “disrupting public order” and “illegal religious activities.” These are common accusations leveled against house church leaders.
* Locations: Henan province,a known hub for unregistered Protestant activity,appears to be a focal point of the recent detentions. Shandong and Zhejiang provinces have also reported increased surveillance and arrests.
* Impact on Congregations: The detentions have caused widespread fear and disruption within the affected church communities. Many congregations have been forced to suspend services or operate in even greater secrecy.
* Prominent Figures: While names are being withheld to protect sources, reports indicate that at least three well-known pastors and several lay leaders are among those detained.
U.S. Response and International Pressure
The U.S. government has been increasingly vocal in its criticism of China’s religious freedom record. The recent detentions have prompted a strong response from Washington:
* State Department Statement: The U.S. state Department spokesperson condemned the detentions as “deeply concerning” and called for the immediate release of all those unjustly detained.
* Congressional Hearings: Several members of Congress have called for hearings to address the issue of religious persecution in China.
* Sanctions Potential: Discussions are underway regarding potential sanctions against Chinese officials involved in the crackdown on religious freedom.
* International Coalition: The U.S. is working with other countries to build an international coalition to pressure China to respect religious freedom.
Ancient Context: Religious Persecution in China
The persecution of religious groups in China is not a new phenomenon. Throughout its history, the Chinese Communist Party has sought to control and regulate religious practice.
* Cultural Revolution (1966-1976): During this period, religious institutions were systematically destroyed, and religious leaders were persecuted.
* Post-Tiananmen Crackdown: Following the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, the government intensified its crackdown on unregistered religious groups.
* Recent Intensification (2018-Present): Since 2018,under President Xi Jinping,there has been a significant escalation in the suppression of religious freedom,notably targeting Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and Christians across the country.
Legal Framework and Restrictions
China’s legal framework regarding religious practice is complex and often ambiguous.
* Religious Affairs Regulations (2017): These regulations substantially tightened control over religious activities, requiring all religious organizations to register with the government and submit to strict oversight.
* Restrictions on Minors: The regulations prohibit individuals
