Chinese persecution of Christians continues to rise. On December 15, more than 1,000 police, SWAT and paramilitary units carried out a crackdown on Christian churches across at least 12 congregations in Yayang Town, Zhejiang province. According to the U.S.-based advocacy organization ChinaAid, led by veteran rights activists Bob Fu, several hundred people were detained within the first two days, and at least four more were taken into custody by Dec. 17.
Roads were sealed off around churches and Christians were barred from entering. A heavy police presence remained in the area during the five-day operation. As of Jan. 6, at least one church has undergone destruction of property. Items belonging to targeted Christians were confiscated.
Two of the primary targets were 58-year-old Lin Enzhao and 54-year-old Lin Enci. Both described as key figures in the local church and listed on wanted notices as leaders of a “criminal organization,” with a reward offered for information. The listed offense was “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a common charge used in political cases.
These men have long been involved in church affairs and were previously targeted for opposing the removal of crosses from church buildings. Officials reportedly labeled them “gang-related,” but church members viewed them as defenders of religious space. Their resistance to the forced installation of national flags at churches was given as one source of tension.
Religious institutions are required to display the Constitution, national laws and party slogans, and adapt religious practices to political directives, under a policy titled “Five Entries and Five Transformations.” These requirements have led to conflict and confrontation between local churches and government officials.
Information about the crackdown was swiftly removed from online platforms and communication was heavily restricted. On the night of Dec. 15, a fireworks display was held in the town square. There was no official celebration on the calendar, and residents suspected the timing was meant to distract from the raids. Fireworks videos were widely circulated online along with posts from state-linked accounts repeating slogans such as “Listen to the Party, follow the Party," according to ChinaAid. These accounts described the fireworks as a public celebration of a crackdown on crime.
In 2014, Zhejiang province launched a campaign to remove crosses from the churches. Christian groups in Yayang Town pushed back against the demolition. In 2017, clashes broke out when officials tried to install surveillance cameras, multiple injuries were reported.
A previous incident in June 2025 reportedly involved the mayor of Yayang leading a group that dismantled church gates and walls to raise the Chinese national flag on the property. Church members said this encroached on religious space and violated their rights.
Following the latest operation, a rally was held in Yayang on Dec. 18 titled “Elimination of Six Evils.” Police vehicles, SWAT units and riot officers were displayed in public to reinforce the anti-crime narrative. Residents claim officers stationed near Christian homes had asked them to accuse the detained leaders of wrongdoing. ChinaAid described posters and statements circulating that framed the community as part of a cult or criminal group.
The exact number of people formally detained across Yayang’s churches remains unknown. Initial counts suggest more than 20 individuals may have been charged. In September, at least 70 Christians were arrested during a separate wave of raids targeting unregistered churches, with accusations ranging from fraud to illegal assembly, according to Open Doors, which monitors anti-Christian activity across the world.
PRAY: Pray for the believers in China that are constantly under the threat of violence and arrest, that they would be safe but more importantly that they would continue to promote the cause of Christ.