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A translation of the demolition notice
sent to Xialing Christian Church is
available upon request.
(Photo: China Aid) |
Translated by Brynne Lawrence. Written and edited in English by Ava Collins.
Updated at 8:42 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2015
(Wenzhou, Zhejiang—Nov. 20, 2015) On Nov. 11, authorities in China’s coastal Zhejiang issued a demolition notice to a government-sanctioned Three-Self church, announcing the impending destruction of the church on Nov. 16.
Xialing Christian Church, located in the Lucheng District of Wenzhou, has faced demolition threats for more than a year. On numerous occasions, church members have gathered at the church to protect the building and its cross. On Oct. 9, 2014, authorities successfully destroyed the church’s outer wall after church members prevented them from reaching the cross atop the building. Two months later, on Dec. 2, the church was issued an ultimatum to either disband or be demolished.
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An undated photo of Xialing Christian Church, with debris from the demolished wall visible on the steps. (Photo: WeChat) |
“Right after their notice was sent out, I thought it was the same as before—threatening to strike the east to the west [Editor’s Note: This Chinese idiom means to create a disturbance.]. If they really mean to demolish [the church], they would make use of a time when [church members] are unprepared instead of saying when they’ll come to demolish it,” one Xialing Church member told China Aid. The Christian also said that church members have been guarding the church from the threatened demolition.
At this time, China Aid has not received information indicating that the church has been demolished.
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