Three church crosses demolished in Wenzhou

Crosses are often demolished late at
night by authorities with little warning,
such as this cross at Gulou Church in
Zhejiang in 2014.
(Photo: courtesy of Zan Aizong)

China Aid
Reported and written in Chinese by Qiao Nong. Translated by Carolyn Song. Edited in English by Ava Collins.

(Wenzhou, Zhejiang—Feb. 2, 2016) Authorities demolished the crosses on three different churches in China’s coastal Zhejiang province early Wednesday morning.

The three churches, Xiuyang Church, Waipu Church and Qingkeng Church, are all located in Wenzhou, which has been the center of a massive cross demolition campaign titled “Three Rectifications and One Demolition,” which began in early 2014. With these most recent demolitions, the totals rise to 18 crosses demolished in the past two weeks alone and approximately 1,700 demolished since the campaign began.

Members of Waipu Church and Qingkeng Church reported that nearly 100 government employees broke into their churches around 11 p.m. on Jan. 26 and removed the church crosses using electric drills and various other tools.

“This was a secret destruction, like thieves would do. They did not give any reason, because all of the removals are secretive. No one saw them,” an anonymous church member said.

The demolition at Waipu Church reportedly lasted until 4 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 27. Unlike previous demolitions, the officials did not use cranes to remove the crosses, and the tools used instead destroyed the church’s door and damaged the bell tower. Authorities also confiscated Waipu Church’s surveillance and video equipment.

“These demolition personnel came suddenly, and many believers did not know [what was happening]. The last time, at East Gate Church in Pingyang County, they also came suddenly at 11:25 to demolish. Now, we all know that the storm of demolition will come again, but we do not know from which direction this violent attack will come,” a Wenzhou Christian surnamed Wu told China Aid’s reporter.

A fourth cross demolition reportedly took place on the evening of Jan. 27 at a church located on Chipu Road in Wenzhou, though details of this event currently cannot be confirmed.

China Aid reports on events such as the widespread waves of cross demolitions in Wenzhou in order to expose religious freedom abuses and promote rule of law in China.


China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org

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Three church crosses demolished in Wenzhou

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