Chinese authorities have formally arrested 18 leaders of the underground Zion Church, marking a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on religious groups. The arrests, which came in mid-October, are part of a broader effort to control religious activities within China. The Christian NGO, ChinaAid, stated that these leaders were targeted for their refusal to submit to Party control and surveillance.
The detentions have drawn international condemnation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for the release of those arrested. The incident highlights the growing tensions between the Chinese government and religious groups, as well as the impact on religious freedom within the country. The report has been widely shared by religious organizations and human rights groups, which are raising concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in China.
China’s ongoing campaign against religious groups has been a significant topic of international discussion. The government has repeatedly emphasized the need for religious activities to operate within the framework of state oversight and has implemented various policies to regulate religious institutions. This crackdown is seen as a continuation of that policy.
Dr. Bob Fu, the founder and president of ChinaAid, described the arrests as a