Police Raid Zhongyuan Christian Church of Beijing; 3 Church Members Detained

(BEIJING – May 4, 2009) On April 12 following the Easter Sunday service at the Xiaojiahe location of Zhongyuan Christian Church in Beijing, police raided the church and detained three Christians.


At nearly 1 p.m., after most of the Christians had returned home, a police vehicle stopped outside the gathering location. One police officer entered the building, pointed at the red cross on the wall and said: “This place is a church!” One of the Christians replied, “It is true that we had a gathering here.” The officer then raised his voice and said: “Take out your IDs and let’s have an ID examination!”


Meng Yuanxin, one of the believers, said: “I haven’t brought my ID with me!” The police officer said, “Those without IDs will come with us to the police station!” Then, the officer immediately called for more police vehicles to transport the detainees, claiming that there were going to be enough people, who would be investigated, to fill a vehicle.


Some people among the church members protested, “Who would bring their IDs with them all the time? Do we all have to go to the police station?” However, the police officer blocked the door to prevent any of the Christians from leaving. Several Christians who had their children with them, were forced to hand in their children’s IDs for the registration. Three of the house church Christians, including Meng Yuanxin, were escorted to Malianwa Police Station for investigation, because they did not have their IDs.


While waiting for additional police vehicles, one police officer and a person dressed in a green police training uniform waited outside the door. In the meantime, the police summoned the landlord and said to him: “These people have been here for over a year. Why haven’t they registered? Don’t be obsessed with making money only! Otherwise, I’ll come and check on you every day!”


Meng Yuanxin and two other house church members were detained until about 3 p.m., and were released after they registered their IDs and other information.


Last May, the Christians at the Xiaojiahe gathering location were forced to relocate just before the Olympic Games because the landlord was given a warning by the police station. In mid-August during the Olympic Games, the police forced the believers to register while they were in Sunday worship.


Contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. and request that the Christians at Zhongyuan Christian Church be allowed to meet freely.
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 495-2190

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Police Raid Zhongyuan Christian Church of Beijing; 3 Church Members Detained

(BEIJING – May 4, 2009) On April 12 following the Easter Sunday service at the Xiaojiahe location of Zhongyuan Christian Church in Beijing, police raided the church and detained three Christians.


At nearly 1 p.m., after most of the Christians had returned home, a police vehicle stopped outside the gathering location. One police officer entered the building, pointed at the red cross on the wall and said: “This place is a church!” One of the Christians replied, “It is true that we had a gathering here.” The officer then raised his voice and said: “Take out your IDs and let’s have an ID examination!”


Meng Yuanxin, one of the believers, said: “I haven’t brought my ID with me!” The police officer said, “Those without IDs will come with us to the police station!” Then, the officer immediately called for more police vehicles to transport the detainees, claiming that there were going to be enough people, who would be investigated, to fill a vehicle.


Some people among the church members protested, “Who would bring their IDs with them all the time? Do we all have to go to the police station?” However, the police officer blocked the door to prevent any of the Christians from leaving. Several Christians who had their children with them, were forced to hand in their children’s IDs for the registration. Three of the house church Christians, including Meng Yuanxin, were escorted to Malianwa Police Station for investigation, because they did not have their IDs.


While waiting for additional police vehicles, one police officer and a person dressed in a green police training uniform waited outside the door. In the meantime, the police summoned the landlord and said to him: “These people have been here for over a year. Why haven’t they registered? Don’t be obsessed with making money only! Otherwise, I’ll come and check on you every day!”


Meng Yuanxin and two other house church members were detained until about 3 p.m., and were released after they registered their IDs and other information.


Last May, the Christians at the Xiaojiahe gathering location were forced to relocate just before the Olympic Games because the landlord was given a warning by the police station. In mid-August during the Olympic Games, the police forced the believers to register while they were in Sunday worship.


Contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. and request that the Christians at Zhongyuan Christian Church be allowed to meet freely.
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 495-2190

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
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Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

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