Sichuan Police Shut Down Utilities to Pressure ERCC Elder

11/14/2020 China (International Christian Concern) – The elder from Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu, who was forced to move out in late October to Leshan city, continues to be pressured and harassed by the local authorities. On November 12, the internet, electricity, and water at his new rented apartment were shut down.

In a short message sent to Christians to solicit prayers, elder Li Yingqiang and his wife Li Xinyue shared that the night prior, the heat at their apartment was shut off. They did not think twice, since they did see a notice posted downstairs saying that there would be disruption to the heating service.

However, on November 12, out of the blue, all of their utilities were shut down, one after another. The landlord’s family who was previously asked by the police to kick Li’s family out no longer wants to get involved in this matter.

An ERCC member told ICC that fortunately, since the community Li lives in has a public bathroom, they can at least use the restroom and fetch water from there.

It is not uncommon for the local authorities in China to shut down utilities in the hope to kick out dissidents or people of faith who they find troublesome.