By Gao Zhensai — 
A church in Huainan City, Anhui Province, has been subjected to government persecution, with nine Christians, including the pastor, being arrested.
On February 26, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau issued a notice to Xinyicun Church that they were under suspicion of committing illegal activities.
Forced Takeover and Church Occupation
At present, a special task force, jointly formed by the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau and the district’s “Two Associations” for Christianity, has been stationed in the church and took full control. The notice states that this will continue “until the church’s internal management is on the right track.”
The announcement further threatens severe punishment for Christians involved in any violation of laws and regulations, warning that “all Christian believers must participate in religious activities within the scope permitted by the Constitution, laws, and regulations, and in accordance with Christian doctrine and rules. Any violations of laws and regulations will be dealt with strictly according to legal procedures.”
History of Religious Suppression and Arrests
As early as 2020, the local government forcibly removed the cross from the Gaohuang “Three-Self” Church. At that time, a construction worker stood on the church roof and took down the cross.
On March 5, church sources confirmed that since February, four male Christians, including Pastor Zhao Hongliang had been criminally detained, while five other believers were released on guarantee prior to trial. The church was vandalized and forcibly taken over by the local subdistrict and the Ethnic and Religious Affairs department. Police continue to harass other believers.
Although the church is registered under the “Three-Self” church system, it refused to comply with all demands from the official organization and rejected requests that were not in accordance with the truth, leading to its suppression. — ChinaAid
