Beijing / Chengdu:
Fresh concerns over religious freedom in China have emerged after reports that several Christian church leaders were arrested following coordinated police raids in the southwestern city of Chengdu. According to allegations made by the Early Rain Covenant Church, a well-known Protestant house church, Chinese authorities detained at least nine church leaders after conducting searches at their homes and offices on Tuesday.
In a statement released by the church, members claimed that police teams raided multiple locations linked to church leaders early in the day, seizing documents, electronic devices, and personal belongings. The church alleged that those detained were taken away for questioning without clear explanations being provided to family members.
“At least nine leaders of Early Rain Covenant Church were taken into custody after police raided their residences and workplaces,” the church said in a statement circulated among supporters and posted on overseas social media platforms. “The actions appear to be aimed at further suppressing independent Christian congregations.”
The church further claimed that some of those arrested were accused of “disrupting social order” and “illegal religious activities,” charges frequently cited by Chinese authorities against unregistered religious groups. However, it said no formal arrest warrants were shown during the raids.
“These detentions are part of a continued campaign to silence faith communities that refuse to come under state control,” the statement added.
The Chengdu police and local government authorities have not issued an official response to the allegations so far. Attempts by international media to seek clarification from Chinese officials reportedly went unanswered.
Early Rain Covenant Church has been under close scrutiny by Chinese authorities for several years. In 2018, its founder and pastor Wang Yi was arrested and later sentenced to prison on charges related to subversion, a case that drew widespread condemnation from international human rights organisations.
Rights groups and religious freedom advocates say the latest arrests reflect China’s broader policy of tightening control over religious practices, particularly those operating outside the state-sanctioned framework.
“China continues to view independent churches as a threat,” a spokesperson for an Asia-based religious freedom watchdog told media outlets. “What we are seeing in Chengdu fits a long-standing pattern of harassment, detention, and legal pressure on unregistered Christian groups.”
The incident has renewed calls from international observers for greater transparency and respect for freedom of religion in China. For now, the church says it is seeking legal assistance for those detained and has urged supporters to remain peaceful while praying for the arrested leaders.
