Storm Over the Underground: China Christian Crackdown 2026 Intensifies

The storm has arrived. China's influential underground churches are facing what appears to be a coordinated offensive. From the arrest of prominent leaders in Chengdu to the demolition of a historic sanctuary in Wenzhou, the Communist Party is making it clear: any faith that doesn't align with state ideology will be dismantled.

China Christian Crackdown 2026: Raids and Demolitions

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, police raided the Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu. According to BBC and human rights monitors, 9 people were detained, including current leader Li Yingqiang and his wife, Zhang Xinyue. While five have been released, four remain in custody under unclear charges.

Simultaneously, over 1,000 miles away in Wenzhou—often called the 'Jerusalem of China'—authorities deployed heavy machinery to tear down the Yayang Church. ChinaAid reports that hundreds of armed police stood guard as residents were driven away and forbidden from documenting the destruction.

Sinicisation and the End of Tolerance

Under Xi Jinping, the policy of Sinicisation of religions has shifted from bureaucratic pressure to outright criminalization. Church leaders told the BBC that while they used to receive warnings or fines, they're now being arrested immediately. This suggests a zero-tolerance approach to any loyalty that competes with the Chinese Communist Party.

• October 2025: 30 Zion Church leaders rounded up across seven cities.
• December 2025: 100 Yayang Church members arrested; 24 remain in custody.
• January 2026: Concerted operation against ERCC and demolition in Wenzhou.