More Crosses Forcibly Removed in Zhejiang


A demolition crew removes
the cross atop Dajing Church.
Photo: ChinaAid

The Chinese government, which continues in its attempt to eliminate the power of Christianity, has removed four more crosses from atop various churches. The city of Wenzhou has been the primary target of the regime as the Zhejiang province is considered the 'Jerusalem of the east' due to its number of thriving churches.

According to China Aid, the number of crosses destroyed in Zhejiang as a result of the campaign has now reached an estimated 2,000; with 49 of them having been removed in the province since the beginning of 2016 alone. (A previous report on the situation may be reviewed at this page.) To prevent congregants from halting the demolition process, government officials have even opted to wait until the churches are vacated at night to dismantle the crosses.

Churches protesting against the cross removals have had their water and electricity cut off, forcing services to be held elsewhere as the buildings are deemed unusable. Despite government notices and orders being plastered on church doors, believers have taken risks in their efforts to stop the advance of demolition crews. Church leaders and others opposing the campaign have been taken into custody, some never to be heard from again. For information on China's mysterious "black jails," click here.

Please join us in praying on behalf of all those affected by the extensive anti-cross campaign throughout the Zhejiang province. May these Christians be greatly encouraged by the Lord who promises to continue His vigilant ministry among them. While the governing officials may try to remove the churches' crosses from the country's skyline, they will never succeed at eradicating Christianity. In fact, we believe that God will bring about even more exponential spiritual growth and revival! Pray that the 'Light of the World' will shine ever so brightly through these believers' lives, illuminating God's truth to such an extent that it will revolutionize the hearts and minds of multitudes in need of our Risen Saviour – including the officials responsible for the anti-cross campaign!

  • Current Ministry Projects

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

    Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

    Leader
    President Xi Jinping (2013)

    Government type
    Communist party-led state

    Legal system
    Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for China

    Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.

China News

  • House Church Bible Study Gathering Raided
    Three police officers are browsing through a phone as a church member looks on.
    One of the church members being interrogated by police.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Several Christians were gathered on the morning of August 22nd for a Bible study at the Beijing Holy Love Fellowship church when multiple police officers suddenly entered the facility. After demanding to see the believers' identification cards, the authorities recorded the personal details of all those who were present. At the time of publishing this report, no official statement or charges have been issued by the Beijing police.

  • Pastor Arrested for "Illegal Business Operations"
    Huang Yizi is speaking on the phone while in prison.
    Pastor Huang Yizi
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Pastor Huang Yizi, a prominent church leader in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was informed on July 30th that he had been formally charged with "illegal business practices" relating to the distribution of sermon recordings. The Christian leader and several other church members were initially taken into custody on June 26th. At the time, the reason for their arrests was unclear. (A previously published report about the arrests is available here.) However, following the recent announcement of formal charges, further information has now come to light.

  • Detained Pastor's Family Faces Harassment
    Chang Shun is holding his little boy. Both are smiling.
    Pastor Chang Shun with one of his children.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Since 2021, Pastor Chang Shun of the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang City has encountered ongoing harassment from Chinese authorities. Unfortunately, all his appeals, in response to the multiple administrative detentions and fines he received over the years, have been unsuccessful. In 2023, Pastor Chang's church was officially banned by the government. Most recently, the harassed church leader was detained on June 29th during a raid by law enforcement officers. In this latest occurrence, he was taken into custody alongside Elder Ma Tao on suspicion of "organizing illegal gatherings." Several visiting friends and family members of Pastor Chang were also detained. Authorities forcibly relocated the visiting individuals, loading their belongings onto trucks and sending them back to their hometowns with strict orders not to return to Fuyang.