Authorities in China have intensified their crackdown on underground Christian churches, arresting key leaders and demolishing church buildings in recent days. The moves highlight the Communist Party’s continued efforts to enforce ideological conformity and restrict religious freedom under President Xi Jinping.

The Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu reported that nine people were detained on Tuesday following police raids on homes and the church office, with five released by Wednesday. Meanwhile, in Wenzhou, local authorities began demolishing part of the Yayang Church building, a city known as the “Jerusalem of China” due to its large Christian population. Video footage obtained by ChinaAid, a nonprofit monitoring religious persecution, shows bulldozers and cranes actively dismantling the church structure.

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Arrests of Church Leaders

The ERCC confirmed that prominent leaders, including Li Yingqiang and his wife Zhang Xinyue, remain in custody. The church described the arrests as a “concerted operation,” although the exact charges against those detained are unclear.

Li had previously warned church members in November of an “imminent storm” of government action, urging congregants to prepare for possible persecution. The church continues to call for prayers for the safety and perseverance of its members in their faith.

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Crackdown Expands to Wenzhou

Authorities have mobilized hundreds of armed police officers to guard the Yayang Church building in Wenzhou, a city with one of the largest Christian populations in China. Residents near the church have reportedly been evacuated, and workers in the area were instructed not to take photos or videos.

This follows a previous crackdown in December, when around 100 members of Yayang Church were detained over five days, with at least 24 still in custody according to Human Rights Watch.

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Historical Context of Religious Persecution

The Chinese government has long pressured Christians to join state-sanctioned churches, rejecting those who worship in unregistered or underground congregations.

• In 2018, authorities raided the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, detaining its founder Wang Yi and wife Jiang Rong, along with more than 100 church members. Wang Yi was sentenced for “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations” and is expected to be released in 2027.
• In October 2025, 30 leaders of Zion Church, one of China’s largest underground churches, were detained across seven cities. Founder Ezra Jin remains in custody.

These crackdowns reflect a pattern of intensified enforcement under Xi Jinping, particularly since he launched the campaign for the Sinicisation of religions, which requires religious beliefs and practices to conform to Chinese culture and Communist Party ideology.

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Restrictions on Religious Activities

Under Xi, religious groups face strict controls on both physical and digital activities:

• Clergy cannot preach live on social media without government approval.
• Religious organizations are barred from raising funds online unless approved by the state.
• Activities targeting children or online congregations must be carried out on government-sanctioned platforms.

Experts warn that these policies are part of a broader effort to eliminate loyalties outside the Communist Party. Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated:

“Concerned governments and religious leaders around the world should press the Chinese government to free detained religious adherents and respect religious freedom in China.”

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International Reactions

The crackdown has drawn condemnation from international religious and human rights organizations. ChinaAid and Human Rights Watch continue to document the arrests, demolitions, and harassment of church members. The BBC has reached out to the Chinese embassy in the UK for comment, but authorities have not issued statements regarding the recent arrests or demolition.

Christian groups argue that these actions demonstrate the government’s determination to suppress independent churches entirely, allowing only those fully aligned with state ideology to survive.

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Conclusion

China’s crackdown on underground churches underscores the tightening restrictions on religious freedom under Xi Jinping, targeting leaders and communities that operate outside government control. With arrests, demolitions, and online restrictions, the government is signaling a zero-tolerance approach to independent religious activity, raising global concern over the future of Christian worship in China.