Photo via chinaaid.org

Chinese officials demolish Yichun three-self church building

A building belonging to Yichun’s registered Three-Self Patriotic Movement church was recently demolished and removed by force, despite the objection of members, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

www.ChinaAid.org says Yichun authorities wanted to requisition the land of the church, but they did not wait to reach any agreement with the church before taking action and proceeding with the demolition.

ChinaAid says the director of Yichun District personally took over the command of the operation, which occurred on June 12, "bringing a formidable force of police officers, armed policemen, and riot policemen. Community workers and some unidentified people also were involved in the demolition and removal."

In a report received by ANS, ChinaAid says: "When people from the church went to negotiate, the officials in charge said they did not have certificates identifying themselves, so they were not legally qualified to negotiate. The demolition and removal people dragged out several Christian women who stayed in the church building. Two of these women had heart attacks on the spot. They were rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment."

Yichun authorities said they would broadcast the video of demolishing the church building across the city, ChinaAid reported.

In a statement released to the media, ChinaAid "denounces the actions of the Yichun authorities in their destruction of the church building without completing peaceable negotiations for the land.

"We call on the Chinese Government to protect the property rights of their citizens from further unjust practices of local authorities. We also ask Christians to pray for strength and hope for members of the Yichun church, and full recovery of the two women who suffered heart attacks during the demolition."

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

TAGS: China Three-Self Patriotic Movement church demolition ChinaAid property rights

[07/01/2010]

Print Version