China accused of anti-Christian campaign as church demolition begins

Picture of the felled church

However, that deal appears to have broken down in recent days with reports that some church leaders and worshippers had been harassed and detained by security agents and officials.

On Monday morning demolition teams began tearing down parts of the church in Wenzhou, a city around 230 miles south of Shanghai that has one of the countrys largest congregations.

I saw three or four excavators out front, demolishing the church, and three or four out back, demolishing the annex building. I also saw a small excavator going inside the church doing demolition work inside, said one witness who claimed there were around 100 police around the church, including armed officers.

Church members told The Telegraph authorities had attempted to silence the congregation

All the roads are blocked, you can't get close to the church, said a local Protestant leader, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals from the government. The two sides of the main hall are being demolished.

Photographs sent to The Telegraph and posted on social media sites showed at least four excavators that appeared to be ripping down large sections of the churchs exterior.

Other images showed black police vans, military trucks and security agents standing on the main road outside.

It was not immediately possible to verify those pictures. Nor was it clear whether authorities planned to destroy the entire church, which has a large red cross on its spire, or just part of the structure.

Church members told The Telegraph authorities had attempted to silence the congregation and said they believed their communications were being monitored. My phone is not safe, said one.

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China accused of anti-Christian campaign as church demolition begins