Crosses removed, churches demolished in government crackdown

Officials jostle a Christian protester
during a demolition.
(Photo: China Aid)

China Aid


(Fuqing, Fujian—Jan. 8, 2016) Authorities in the neighboring Chinese coastal Fujian and Zhejiang provinces conducted a church demolition and two cross removals on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

A series of videos sent to China Aid shows officials in Fuqing, Fujian, demolishing Yulin Furen Christian Church on Wednesday for failure to register with the local government.

“Previously, it was registered and approved, but not in recent years,” an individual from the Fuqing Christian Association said. “At this time, a real estate certificate is required for registration [in Fuqing] … [Therefore], we cannot just go register, even if we want to do so. There are still many [churches] that have not registered.”

On Thursday morning, government personnel in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, forcibly demolished Nanhu Church’s and Wutian Dongzhuang Church’s crosses. Christians at both churches attempted to stop the officials, resulting in a scuffle and the detention of several church members. [Editor’s Note: A previous report incorrectly identified, Wutian Dongzhuang Church as Dongzhuang Church.]

“It is the sub-district and city management [officials] that united to demolish [the crosses],” a Wenzhou police officer said when China Aid called to inquire about the incident. “We only maintained order.”

China Aid exposes religious freedom abuses, such as those experienced in cases of forced demolitions, in order to promote religious freedom and 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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Crosses removed, churches demolished in government crackdown

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