Chinese authorities have launched a massive crackdown on so-called 'underground churches' (house churches) that are not registered with the government. According to recent major foreign media reports, Chinese police have raided unregistered Christian communities across the country, arresting numerous believers and forcibly removing crosses from several churches. It is reported that they even forced believers to hang portraits of President Xi Jinping and Communist Party propaganda materials in their place.

The Chinese government is aggressively enforcing the policy of the 'Sinicization of religion,' which dictates that all religious activities must take place under the management of the state and the Communist Party. Consequently, all worship services in facilities not approved by the state are considered illegal and are being controlled. The international community and human rights organizations have voiced strong concerns, stating that these measures "suppress independent religious activities and severely restrict freedom of religion."

Reporter Kim Do-hyung, Korea Youth Media (kimdiagram@kym.io.kr)