Influential China church reports arrests as crackdown on Christians intensifies

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete January 8, 2026 at 12:01 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

An influential Protestant church in China, the Early Rain Covenant Church, reported the arrest of nine leaders on Tuesday after police raids in Chengdu. While five have been released, the reasons for the arrests remain unclear. Simultaneously, authorities in Wenzhou began demolishing the Yayang Church building. These actions, along with previous arrests, signal an intensified crackdown on underground churches by the Chinese Communist Party, which seeks to control religious practice and promote atheism. Christian groups say the government's grip on religious freedom has tightened under Xi Jinping, with arrests becoming more common and prompt for unauthorized church leaders. The Early Rain Covenant Church leader, Li Yingqiang, and his wife are among those still detained.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UK 30% Xi Jinping 40% ChinaAid 40% Zhang Xinyue 40% Yayang Church 50% Wenzhou ×250% Li Yingqiang 60% Chengdu 60% Chinese Communist Party 70% China ×680% Early Rain Covenant Church ×390%

Keywords

china 100% christianity 90% religious persecution 80% church crackdown 80% arrests 70% underground church 70% early rain covenant church 60% religious freedom 60% atheism 50% state-sanctioned churches 50%