Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, Katherine@ChinaAid.org; Washington, D.C.: Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; both with China Aid Association www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org

BEIJING, and ZHEJIANG, Dec. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- After conducting detailed investigations, ChinaAid has confirmed that from the end of September to early November 2008, a large police force was dispatched to raid house gatherings in Beijing and in areas near college campuses in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. More than 400 Christian college students were arrested and interrogated. House church leaders who led the gatherings were detained, and four were sentenced to re-education through labor for one to one and a half years. House church members were accused of "preaching to students" and "engaging in cult activities." The house church groups were all affiliated with the Local Church network founded by Witness Lee (1905-1997).

Photo:   Decision statement for re-education through labor of Ye Xi Lou. 

It is believed that this large-scale suppression by the Chinese authorities against the Christian college students in Beijing and Hangzhou is a part of the government’s efforts to limit citizens' religious freedom after the Olympic Games. ChinaAid calls on the relevant agencies in China to stop the harassment of house church Christians, return illegally confiscated funds and personal property, and immediately release the four church leaders who have been sentenced to re-education through labor.

Click on the links below to find out more detailed information the raids in Beijing and Hangzhou.

To request permission to reproduce ChinaAid photos and/or information, please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org.

Read about the raid in Beijing. [link]
Read about the raid in Hangzhou. [link]
Read about the Local Church. [link]

To request permission to reproduce ChinaAid photos and/or information, please contact Katherine@ChinaAid.org.