Chinese authorities have detained 30 pastors from the Zion Church, one of the largest underground Christian networks in China. These pastors, including founder Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, were arrested for preaching without approval from the Communist Party, with charges like unauthorized use of information networks. This crackdown is considered the toughest repression of religious groups in over forty years, aiming to strengthen state control over religion and suppress unregistered congregations. Worship services are now forced underground, while global concerns grow regarding China’s restrictions on religious freedom and efforts to enforce loyalty to the Party.
