In a coordinated sweep that sources say marks the latest escalation in a decade-long crackdown, Chinese authorities have detained two prominent leaders of an underground Protestant church in Henan province. The arrests, which occurred late Tuesday evening, were confirmed by three separate family members who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
According to documents obtained from a local security bureau, the two men, identified as Pastor Li Wei and Deacon Zhang Qiang, were taken from their homes in Zhengzhou without warrants. The charges remain undisclosed, though sources familiar with the case suggest they may face accusations of 'illegal religious activities' and 'disturbing social order' under China's strict religious regulations.
The underground church, which operated under the name 'Grace Fellowship,' has been a target for local authorities since 2018, when its members were first recorded in police surveillance logs. The church's congregation of roughly 200 people met in secret, rotating locations to avoid detection. A former member, who left the group in 2021, told this reporter that the leaders had been warned multiple times to cease operations.
This detention follows a pattern observed across China over the past five years. Official statistics from the State Administration for Religious Affairs show that at least 1,200 underground church leaders have been detained or sentenced since 2019. However, human rights organisations estimate the true number is three times higher.
The timing of the arrests is notable. They come just weeks before the Chinese government is set to host the World Religious Forum in Beijing, a public relations event aimed at showcasing its commitment to religious tolerance. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment when reached by phone.
Legal experts say the case is part of a broader campaign against unregistered churches. 'The law is being used as a weapon,' said Professor Chen Hua, a legal scholar at Peking University who has tracked religious persecution cases for two decades. 'These men are not criminals. They are believers who refused to join the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement.'
International pressure has been mounting. The US State Department issued a statement on Wednesday expressing 'deep concern' over the detentions. The European Parliament is considering a resolution condemning China's religious policies. But Beijing has consistently dismissed such criticism as interference in internal affairs.
For now, Pastor Li and Deacon Zhang remain in custody at an undisclosed location. Their families have been denied visitation. A lawyer representing the church, who asked not to be named, said he has filed a habeas corpus petition. 'We have no hope,' he said. 'The system is rigged.'
As night fell over Zhengzhou, a neighbour of one of the detained leaders described hearing shouting and glass breaking around 9 p.m. The lights were still on in the apartment when police left. They have not been seen since.
