China: New crackdown planned for October?
Sep 02 2008
Postings >> China

The Beijing Olympics may have won international praise but it's been a tough few weeks for China's Christians - and things could soon get tougher yet.

Several high-profile Christians have had run-ins with Chinese officials during the games - and they are now bracing themselves for a 'new crackdown' planned for October.

Among those harassed during the Olympics were Beijing activist Hua Huiqi and Pastor Zhang 'Bike' Mingxuan, president of the China House Church Alliance.

Hua was arrested as he tried to attend a service at the government-approved Kuanjie Protestant church which President George Bush was scheduled to attend. Officers seized him, kicked him and threatened to break his legs. Amazingly, Hua escaped from custody later that day and went into hiding. Hua, whose mother Shuang Shuying was jailed earlier this year to punish Hua, has since written to President Bush asking for prayer for his own safety and for religious freedom for China's people.

Pastor Zhang was detained, along with his wife Xie Fenlang and co-pastor Wu Jiang He, as he was waiting for BBC journalist John Simpson to arrive for an interview. Pastor Zhang and Xie had earlier been evicted from their home and several other addresses in Beijing before the police took them by force to Hebei province.

It has emerged that officials forced several house church leaders in Beijing to sign an agreement that they would not hold services for 17 weeks spanning the Games. China Aid reports that in October the authorities plan to clamp down on 'troublesome elements' including house church leaders and dissidents. The crackdown will coincide with a new campaign by the Communist Party for '20 more years of political and social stability'.

(Sources: China Aid, Compass Direct, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

Pray for Hua Huiqi, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan and their families - for peace, joy and freedom to worship their Lord. Pray Shuang Shuying will be freed soon.

Pray that China will reflect on the respect it won for the success of the Beijing Olympics and respond to international calls for greater religious freedom.