CHINA-INTERNAL: CURBS ON CHRISTIANITY
The Christianity Daily reported on July 6, 2016, that China's Zhejiang provincial government has implemented a new law for some of the churches to hand over all their income and donations to the authorities. The law was enforced in Pingyang County, Wenzhou, where the members have to hand over all the tithes and donations to authorities. China Aid, which claims to be an international non-profit Christian human rights organization, quoted a source as saying “The government officials will interfere with church affairs, managing our donations and some large-scale projects. We have to obtain their (the government’s) permission if we would like to buy equipment or decorate the church. We will have to ask for permission for any expenses more than a few thousand yuan.” State officials in Zhejiang province have demolished over 2,000 church crosses since 2014 when a “beautification” campaign known as “Three Rectifications and One Demolition” was launched. Authorities have cited illegal construction as the reason for the demolition of churches and crosses. |