China revokes welfare for Christians

Chiqui Guyjoco Thursday, August 11, 2016

Chinese authorities in the Guizhou province revoked state-sponsored welfare for Christians in an act reminiscent of its persecution against an ethnic minority two years ago.

According to China Aid, a publication that exposes and monitors Christian persecution in the Communist state, the local authorities from the central province issued its new directive in an ongoing clampdown against Christians and their churches.

Part of a propaganda banner which reads, "Prevent and reject the Church of Almighty God's cult invasions", is seen at an outdoor exercising court, in Puyang, Henan province, China, in this file picture taken January 12, 2012. | Reuters/Stringer

"[Officials verbally] announced on July 2 that Christians could not have welfare or any old-age insurance ... Now, the county [government] called on the government in the towns and villages to order believers to sign [a guarantee], stating that if they gathered again, their welfare would be cut off," said a house church member identified only as Mou.

Authorities employed the same intimidation against the Miao Christians, an ethnic minority in the Sichuan province, which led to the arrest of at least 36 of its members on Sep. 28 two years ago. Although the government gradually set them free after five to 11 days, it also ended the Miao Christians' welfare allocations.

"Not long ago, I went back to my hometown and asked my parents about [the welfare payment cancellation]. They told me that they still hadn't received their welfare. [Authorities] only arrested my mother last time, but they canceled the [welfare] of [both of my parents]," reported Miao Christian Zhang Shucai last month.

The attack on the Christians' welfare benefit only adds to the surmounting methods authorities use to pressure Guizhou's house churches, which refuse to join its state-controlled Protestant church called Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM).

Guizhou's local officials also announced two months ago a regulation to ban Christian minors, who continue to attend such house churches, from taking college entrance exams or from entering the military academy. The atheist state considers it a form of brainwashing to share one's religious belief with those under 18 years old.

Officials also followed up the regulation by forcing house church members to agree by signing a document.