CHINA: New religious regulations come into force
New regulations came into effect on 1 February that will further restrict religious practice in China.
Category: China
CHINA: Pastor Wang Yi sentenced to nine years in prison
On 30 December, Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu was sentenced to nine years in prison.
CHINA: Pastor Wang Yi tried in secret
On 26 December, the long-awaited trial of Wang Yi, pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, was held in secret in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.
CHINA: Year of harassment for Early Rain Covenant Church
Monday 9 December marked the first anniversary of the raid on Early Rain Covenant Church, following which Pastor Wang Yi and over 150 church members were detained.
CHINA: Early Rain Covenant Church elder Qin Defu sentenced to four years in prison
On 29 November, elder Qin Defu of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province was sentenced to four years in prison.
CHINA: Ireland joins 22 other countries in call for Chinese government to respect religious freedom
At the United Nations in New York, Ireland and 22 other countries at the United Nations expressed concern about religious freedom in China.
CHINA: Gou Zhongcan of Early Rain Covenant Church released
Gou Zhongcan of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has been released after seven months’ imprisonment.
CHINA: Megachurch demolished and pastors detained
On 18 October, police in Funan, Anhui Province, destroyed a large Protestant church building and detained its pastors.
CHINA: Six Uighur Christians imprisoned
Six Uighur Christians have been imprisoned in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
CHINA: “President Xi has launched a war against the church and the cross”
Dr Bob Fu told Church in Chains’ conference that President Xi Jinping has launched three wars against religious freedom.