The congregation were accused of “setting up religious venues and organising religious activities without permission
Accompanied by officials from the local Religious Affairs Department, Chinese police on Sunday 27 May stormed a church service in Lanzhou, northern China, and carried away the church offering box.
More than 40 armed police officers, along with local officials, forcibly entered a Sunday service in a church in Lanzhou, Gansu province, and shut down the meeting.
The congregation were accused of “setting up religious venues and organising religious activities without permission” – an accusation typical of those levelled at unofficial “house churches”. The police detained the church pastor, along with other members of the church leadership. They also carried away the church offering box, the lectern and other items.
Government authorities in several Chinese provinces have engaged in a renewed crackdown on Christians in recent months.
China is ranked 43 in Opendoors list of top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.
