Police Raid on Church in Jiangyou Highlights Struggles of Unregistered Congregations in China

A worship service in Jiangyou, a city in southwestern China, ended abruptly on Sunday morning when police officers intervened. According to congregation members, the raid left two senior church members in custody.

Videos from the church’s Telegram channel captured the moment when law enforcement interrupted the service at the Sichuan Province church, roughly 100 miles from Chengdu, the capital of the province. Information from the channel’s administrator, reportedly outside China, indicated that 60 to 70 officials from various agencies, including local police, Religious Affairs Bureau, and state security, participated in the operation.

“The officers surrounded and scolded the congregation, which included children, as they sang in quiet defiance,” the account stated.

During the raid, authorities detained 31 individuals, escorting them to a detention center. While attempting to make them sign unknown documents, most members resisted. By 11 p.m., most detainees were released, except for two elders, Yan Hong and Wu Wuqing.

Newsweek reached out to the National Religious Affairs Administration of China for comments.

Christians account for about 1 to 2 percent of China’s adult population, according to the Chinese General Social Survey conducted by Renmin University. Although Christianity is not outlawed, Beijing enforces strict supervision over religious practices. Public worship is only allowed in state-sanctioned places, which must be registered with authorities. The state also monitors religious groups extensively, limiting their teachings, publications, and online activities.

On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry defended its approach to religious supervision. They rejected any opposing views as interference in internal matters.

“The Chinese government handles religious issues based on law and safeguards freedom of belief,” said Lin Jian, Foreign Ministry spokesperson. “We oppose any interference under the guise of religious concerns.”

Early Rain Covenant Church exemplifies the challenges faced by independent Christian groups in China. Rights groups and observers claim there is an increasing crackdown on unregistered religious activities.

The Presbyterian congregation faced a significant crackdown in December 2018. Authorities detained founding pastor Wang Yi and over 100 members. Wang was sentenced to nine years in prison for charges including “inciting subversion of state power.” He refused to register the church and openly opposed President Xi Jinping’s efforts to align religious practices with Communist Party policies.

The recent raid is part of ongoing efforts against unregistered churches, such as those in the Zion Church network, targeted last year.