Chinese authorities cut off power supply of churches for refusing to install surveillance cameras

Chinese authorities cut off the power supply of two churches in Zhejiang province after they refused to install surveillance cameras in their buildings.

According to China Aid, the authorities have cut off the power and water supply of Gesancun Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang on Wednesday, claiming that the 400–500-member church is overly crowded and poses a fire hazard. The government has barred the church from using the building until the issues were resolved.

Despite the claim that the power supply was terminated for safety reasons, Christians suspect that it was done in retaliation against churches who refused to comply with the order to install surveillance cameras in their buildings. The authorities have stated that it will improve the security of the churches, but there were concerns that it will make it easier for them to monitor religious activity.

Government officials also cut off the power supply of an unnamed church, according to reports. China Aid noted that Gensancun Church and the unnamed church were the only places of worship in the vicinity without surveillance cameras.

Gensancun Church has purchased a diesel tank to continue conducting its religious services, but churchgoers fear that it is only a matter of time before the government decides to use force against the church.

"We are trying our best to avoid the installation, but the church is too weak to fight against the government. We can't do anything if the government decides to take violent measures," a church member said.

In late March, hundreds of police officers stormed the Changlin Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang and forcibly installed surveillance cameras. Some Christians who tried to resist their efforts were beaten and arrested, and some parts of the church, including the gate, were destroyed so that they could enter the building.

South China Morning Post reported that the government issued the order to install surveillance cameras in churches in Wenzhou late last year and began implementing it before the Lunar New Year ­holiday in January.

A Christian in Wenzhou said last month that some churchgoers had to be hospitalized after trying to fight the government officials who were forcibly installing the cameras.

Pastor Yan Xiaojie, a missionary in the city, said that the installation of the cameras reminded him of the "cross demolitions" in 2014. During the cross removal campaign, about 360 crosses were removed and one church was demolished, drawing criticisms from international religious rights organizations.