Tag: China

China’s ‘demolition campaign’ goes on

May 14, 2015 China China, Crosses, Zhejiang

China is set to continue removing crosses from church rooftops in the eastern province of Zhejiang, despite a bishop’s claim in March that the so-called “demolition campaign” against hundreds of churches had ended. Bishop Paul Meng Qinglu told UCA News the alleged campaign had been stopped after complaints from church . . . Read More

2014: A year of particular concern

April 30, 2015 Global News -- No Particular Country Anti-balaka, Bashar al-Assad, BJP, Boko Haram, Central African Republic, Chibok girls, Chin, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghar Wapsi, Hindu nationalism, India, Iran, Iraq, Islamic State, Kachin, Kano, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Potiskum, Rohingya, Saudi Arabia, Seleka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

If ever there were a year that made plain the importance of religious freedom, 2014 was it, according to the just-released annual report by an American government advisory group. “By any measure, the horrors of the past year speak volumes about how and why religious freedom and the protection of the . . . Read More

China’s church ‘demolition campaign’ ends

March 20, 2015 China China, Crosses, Zhejiang

An alleged ‘demolition campaign’ against churches in a province in eastern China has ended, a Chinese bishop has claimed. Bishop Paul Meng Qinglu told UCA News the alleged campaign in Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai, was stopped after complaints from church leaders across China. More than 400 crosses were removed . . . Read More

Canada confirms pastor detained in North Korea

March 6, 2015 North Korea China, Hyeon Soo Lim, Kenneth Bae, North Korea, South Korea, USA

The Canadian government has confirmed to the family of pastor Hyeon Soo Lim that he has been detained in North Korea. This follows earlier reports that nobody had heard from Lim, 60, since he crossed the Chinese border on 31 January. Lim, who is married with one son, grew up . . . Read More

China’s oldest priest dies at 105

January 22, 2015 China China, Communism, Guangzhou

China’s oldest priest died Jan. 20 at the age of 105. “Father Ye Yaomin withstood persecution and banishment to help build up the Church in China,” UCA News said, adding that　his “epic life spanned the fall of emperors, wars and a Communist Party intolerant of his devout faith.” Yaomin of . . . Read More

2014: A year of rising hostility toward Christians

January 7, 2015 Global News -- No Particular Country Africa, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, Asia, Boko Haram, Buddhist nationalism, Central African Republic, China, Communism, Converts, East Africa, Fulani herdsmen, Hindu nationalism, India, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Latin America, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle Belt, Middle East, Narendra Modi, Nigeria, North Korea, Religious freedom, Sri Lanka, Sub-Saharan Africa, Syria

While the world’s eyes were riveted to Syria and Iraq in 2014, life for Christians worsened even more profoundly in Africa, according to an annual report on religious freedom. The situation deteriorated most rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries where Islamic extremism is the main source of pressure upon Christians, . . . Read More

North Korea’s human rights in UN spotlight

December 23, 2014 North Korea China, North Korea, Russia, UN

Despite initial opposition from China and Russia, the UN Security Council is discussing North Korea’s human rights record. According to the BBC, this comes ‘days after the UN General Assembly voted in favour of referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity.’ Earlier . . . Read More

Pope advised to stay away from China

November 28, 2014 China Beijing, China, Hong Kong, Pope Francis

The former bishop of Hong Kong has said he would advise the Pope against visiting China for fear that a papal trip could end up being manipulated by Beijing. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun was speaking to the catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need about persecution of Christians in China, which he . . . Read More

‘Freedom of Religion’: comprehensive report launch

November 4, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Central African Republic, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Maldives, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Qatar, Religious freedom, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zimbabwe

A report showing that religious freedom is compromised in nearly 60 percent of countries worldwide is expected to send a signal to governments and religious leaders that this is an issue that can no longer be ignored. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom in . . . Read More

Children arrested during raid on Chinese church

September 25, 2014 China Children, China, Guangdong

Children were among 100 Chinese Christians detained after police raided a house church in Guangdong province, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Members of Mount Olivet church were held in custody for up to 20 hours. Police say they were detained for conducting an “illegal gathering”. The church of 170 parishioners . . . Read More

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