Chinese government officials confiscated bibles as they broke up a congregation in an authoritarian church raid. Officials across multiple government departments joined forces to raid the church service in Anhui province, eastern China. NGO ChinaAid, which promotes religious freedom for Christians in China, said the incident took place last month. The authorities raided a clandestine church inside a house belonging to Christian Yu Jiafang.
They confiscated religious items and bibles and threatened to punish Ms Jianfang. ChinaAid claims the move violates the Chinese constitution, which enshrines freedom of belief. China has launched a major crackdown on religion in recent months in an attempt to exercise control over the population. Churches not sanctioned by the government have been put under surveillance with hundreds of Christians arrested for disturbing public order over offences such as holding bible study groups and displaying crucifixes outside their homes. READ MORE
