A few weeks back, we posted a report about the Sanjiang church in China’s Zhejiang province, which was the site of a massive, days-long protest by local Christians seeking to save it from demolition. However, according to The Telegraph, the country’s Communist government began destroying the multi-million dollar house of worship this week. Though hundreds of Christians had formed an around-the-clock human shield to protect their church, after a negotiation between government officials and church leaders appeared to formalize, many returned home. According to the paper though, “that deal appears to have broken down in recent days with reports that some church leaders and worshippers had been harassed and detained by security agents and officials.”
Yesterday, “around 100” police officers surrounded the structure as demolition crews began destroying the church, which is home to a growing Christian community in the region. Though Chinese officials claim that the move was due to structural issues, many others say it underscores the government’s increasing hostility to the growing influence of Christianity throughout the country. In an interview, Christian activist Bob Fu told The Telegraph, “This government-orchestrated barbaric forced demolition represents a serious escalation against religious freedom in Zhejiang. The Chinese regime chooses to disregard its own laws and the will of its best citizens” …
