China: Suspension of Churches for Illegal Gathering

An unnamed Christian in Wuhu, Anhui Province, has sent a public prayer request urging Christians around the world to pray for Wang Minghai and Van Hong Xia, a teacher and principal at the Wuhu-Jordan River Christian School.

The two Christians were formally arrested by the provincial prosecutor's office and handed over to the court for trial.

On Tuesday morning, dozens of members of the National Security Directorate, police, and the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs stormed the Wuhu-Jordan River School, forcibly arresting the teacher and principal. Their personal and educational equipment was also confiscated., including mobile phones, computers, books and all facilities.

On the same day, four other Christians were taken into custody and their homes searched at the same time. The next day, police arrested four Christians on suspicion of "illegal commercial operations."

 A year ago, the Wuhu County Civil Affairs Office published a "Declaration on the Prohibition of Illegal Social Organizations" on its official website. Many Christian homes and churches have since been closed for illegal activities.

The activities of the Mount Carmel Church, which belongs to the Jordan River Academy, have been forcibly suspended under the same law by the local government of Wuhu on charges of illegality.

Last year, on October 30, 2021, an unidentified Christian in Wuhu posted a letter on social media exposing the persecution of Wuhu Carmel Hill Church and its affiliated Jordan River School by the local government for several months. He asked other Christians in the churches to pray.

 

_{Source and Credit: Chinaaid.net}