Chinese authorities have raided an underground Christian church in the central province of Henan, detaining dozens of worshippers and leaders in a move that has drawn sharp condemnation from British ministers. Sources confirm the operation took place on Tuesday morning, with plainclothes police sweeping through a residential compound where the congregation had been meeting in secret. Documents obtained by this outlet reveal that the church had been operating without official registration, a violation of China's strict religious regulations.
The crackdown is part of a broader campaign against unregistered religious groups, which Beijing views as threats to social stability. British Foreign Office ministers have called for the immediate release of those detained, citing concerns over religious freedom. A spokesperson said the UK is monitoring the situation closely and will raise the issue at the United Nations.
The detained individuals are being held at an undisclosed location, and families have been denied access. This is the third such raid in the region this year, signalling an intensification of efforts to control religious practice. The Chinese government maintains that all religious activities must be conducted within the law, but critics argue these laws are used to suppress dissent.
The detained worshippers face charges of illegally organising religious activities, which carry sentences of up to seven years in prison. The British government has yet to receive a formal response from Chinese authorities regarding the detentions.
