Crackdown on Christianity: Major Arrests in China's Underground Church Movement

Fri Jan 09 2026 14:19:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent events highlight an intensified crackdown on the underground church movement in China, with significant arrests and church demolitions, signifying the government's stringent control over religious practices.

The Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent Protestant congregation in China, reports the arrest of key leaders as authorities escalate their crackdown on underground churches. Nine individuals were detained in a police raid in Chengdu, with ongoing efforts to dismantle the Yayang Church in Wenzhou highlighting the government's commitment to suppress non-state-sanctioned religious groups. Christian organizations describe this as part of a larger pattern of persecution under the Communist Party's rule.

In a worrying escalation of religious suppression, the Early Rain Covenant Church, an influential Protestant congregation in China, has reported that several of its prominent leaders were arrested, exacerbating fears of a renewed crackdown on the underground church movement. Nine individuals were taken into custody following police raids on their homes and church offices in Chengdu.

This incident comes amid broader efforts to suppress religious groups that do not comply with state ideology. Authorities in Wenzhou have begun demolishing part of the Yayang Church, as shown in newly surfaced footage from the non-profit organization ChinaAid, which monitors religious persecution in the country.

The crackdown appears part of the Communist Party's ongoing strategy to obliterate churches that remain independent from government oversight. Observers note that the arrests serve as a strong warning against unauthorized religious activities and reflect a concerning trend of escalating tensions between the state and religious groups.

The BBC has sought comments from China's embassy in the UK regarding these arrests, but there has been no official response from the authorities. China's official stance promotes atheism and imposes strict regulations on religious practices, which complicates the estimation of the actual number of Christians in the country, despite official claims of 44 million.

Christian groups have reported that the pressure on independent churches has intensified significantly, with swift arrests of leaders who fail to conform to state demands, a sharp contrast to past instances where warnings preceded detainment. Moreover, in December, authorities arrested around 100 members affiliated with the Yayang Church over the span of five days, solidifying a pattern of increased vigilance towards unsanctioned Christian gatherings.

Li Yingqiang, the leader of the Early Rain Covenant Church, had previously warned his congregation of an impending crackdown, urging them to brace for further actions against independent worshippers. Currently, he and several others remain detained, with the church calling the situation a 'concerted operation' without clear grounds for the arrests.

As the state escalates its campaign against church groups across the country, reports indicate substantial mobilization of police and the presence of armed security personnel at church sites, especially in regions like Wenzhou, which has a significant Christian population.

The Chinese government’s ongoing campaign against religious freedom reflects a broader ideological agenda under President Xi Jinping, aimed at ensuring religious practices align with state values and narratives. Advocates continue to call on international communities to condemn these actions and advocate for the rights of detained religious adherents.