China: Thirty church leaders arrested

Over 30 church leaders in China have been arrested as the ruling Chinese Communist Party continues to clamp down on beliefs that do not adhere to state control.

Release International reports that raids have taken place in seven provinces in what their partners describe as “the most extensive and coordinated wave of persecution” against house churches in 40 years. Those arrested include pastors and other church leaders, and include Jin Mingri, founder of the Zion Church network. The state is believed to be using digital surveillance and wrongful charges as it goes after those it deems a threat to state authority.