Underground church says leaders detained as China steps up crackdown

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Amy HawkinsJanuary 11, 2026 at 02:00 PM

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Chinese authorities have detained leaders and members of the Early Rain Covenant Church, an unregistered Christian group in Sichuan province, as part of an intensified crackdown on underground churches. The detentions, which began on Tuesday, include leader Li Yingqiang, his wife, a pastor, and other church members. This action follows similar sweeps targeting other prominent underground churches, such as Zion Church and a church in Zhejiang province, where members were detained after protesting church demolitions. Rights groups suggest the crackdown is due to the government's increasing ideological control and view of unofficial churches as disobedient to the Communist Party. Early Rain, a well-known house church, has faced previous persecution, including the 2019 jailing of its founder. The US Congress select committee on China stated Early Rain was targeted for refusing to submit to the Chinese Communist Party.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Human Rights Watch 50% Yalkun Uluyol 50% Zion Church 60% Wang Yi 60% Dai Zhichao 60% Ye Fenghua 60% Deyang ×270% Zhang Xinyue 70% Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ×270% Li Yingqiang ×290% China ×590% Early Rain Covenant Church ×7100%

Keywords

china 100% crackdown 90% underground church 90% early rain covenant church 90% religious persecution 80% detention 70% house churches 70% communist party 60% religious freedom 60% religious groups 50%