Chinese authorities have formally arrested 18 leaders of the underground Zion Church, marking the latest in a series of targeted crackdowns on religious groups operating outside state control. The arrests, which follow a mid-October operation detaining nearly 30 pastors and staff members, come amid growing concerns about the Communist Party’s increasing restrictions on religious freedom.
Christian NGOs and human rights organizations have condemned the actions as politically motivated, noting that the leaders were targeted for refusing to comply with government oversight and control. Reuters reported the arrests Wednesday, citing a Christian NGO advocate. The operation is the biggest crackdown on Chinese Christians in seven years, according to the news outlet.
ChinaAid, a Christian nonprofit human rights organization, stated that the leaders were arrested on