China clamping down on Christian churches refusing to join state-led Protestant church

Chiqui Guyjoco Thursday, July 14, 2016

Christian churches in Guangdong province are made to choose between joining Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), the state-run Protestant church, and suffering continued harassment amid China's ongoing religious persecution.

According to China Aid, a publication watchdog for Christian persecution in China, the Communist state continued to grip on the country's Christian community in the southern province last month.

Believers take part in a weekend mass at an underground Catholic church in Tianjin November 10, 2013. | REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

A Christian member of Foshan's Vineyard Church, who spoke in anonymity, reported that authorities attacked the church and even took away their religious materials on June 19. They also disconnected the church's access to water and electricity.

"We never have freedom, and we're always attacked [by the government]," the unidentified Christian told China Aid. "What we came across [on June 19] wasn't just a one or two day incident. We have endured this for a long time."

"We served in this place for decades and experienced very many hardships," said another anonymous Christian member. "It wasn't just once or twice. A few years ago, we renovated a place that could seat 300 people. After only a month, we received pressure [from the authorities] and had no choice but to move. If we didn't move, we would have been banned...."

Pastor Zhang of Zhongfu Canaan Church also reported a similar harassment. He said that authorities regarded their church as an "illegal gathering" before asking him to join the state-recognized TSPM, also the counterpart for Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

The pastor refused but said authorities had already made their move on their church building's landlord. The landlord received pressure from the authorities and subsequently cancelled the church's contract five years ahead of its expiration and gave the church members 15 days to move out.

Authorities also handed Zhongfu Wanmin Church the same choice of either joining TSPM or forced closure. In addition, they also stole 2,888 Yuan from the church which prompted Pastor Li Peng to go to the provincial complaints office to demand the stolen money.