Chinese authorities have launched coordinated operations against prominent unregistered Protestant congregations, resulting in multiple arrests and church demolitions in what religious freedom monitors describe as an escalating campaign against independent religious expression.
In Chengdu, Sichuan province, police detained nine individuals associated with Early Rain Covenant Church during raids conducted on Tuesday targeting residential properties and church offices. While five were subsequently released within 24 hours, four key members including current leader Li Yingqiang and his wife Zhang Xinyue remain in custody without formal charges being disclosed. The church administration characterized these actions as a ‘concerted operation’ with unclear legal grounds.
Concurrently in Wenzhou—a city renowned for its substantial Christian population—municipal authorities initiated partial demolition of Yayang Church’s physical structure. Video evidence obtained by advocacy organization ChinaAid reveals heavy machinery and security forces deployed at the site. Local residents reported being displaced from adjacent areas while workers received instructions prohibiting photographic documentation of the proceedings.
This development follows December’s apprehension of approximately 100 Yayang Church members, with at least two dozen reportedly still detained according to Human Rights Watch. These incidents represent the latest manifestations of China’s ongoing religious regulation campaign that has intensified under President Xi Jinping’s administration.
Since 2015, Beijing has implemented policies demanding the ‘Sinicization of religions,’ requiring theological alignment with state-defined cultural values. Last year further restricted digital religious practices by prohibiting unauthorized online preaching, youth activities, and fundraising. Religious groups must exclusively utilize government-sanctioned platforms for such activities.
Early Rain Covenant Church has persisted despite previous crackdowns, including the 2018 imprisonment of founding pastor Wang Yi on charges of subversion and illegal business operations. The congregation continues conducting virtual services, sometimes incorporating recorded sermons from incarcerated leaders.
International researchers note a strategic shift in enforcement methodology, with authorities increasingly favoring immediate detention over previous graduated approaches involving warnings and financial penalties. This reflects strengthened ideological control measures prioritizing absolute allegiance to governing institutions above alternative loyalties.