Chinese authorities demolish Protestant church with excavators in Wenzhou
In March 2026, a church in the city of Wenzhou was covered with tarpaulin, and the cross on the bell tower was dismantled. Photo: ChinaAid
In the epicenter of Chinese Christianity, the city of Wenzhou, which is called the "Chinese Jerusalem" due to its large number of believers, Chinese authorities completely demolished the Protestant Yazhong Church, reports the human rights organization ChinaAid.
The demolition of the multi-story church building, also known as Yayan, began on Monday, May 18, 2026, and by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 19, it had been turned into a pile of construction debris. Heavy excavators were used to destroy the structure.
The action took place amid a new wave of repression against religious freedoms in the country.
As the UOJ reported, in China, crosses are being removed from churches and Christians are being arrested. In Zhejiang Province, authorities have been actively implementing a policy of "sinicization" of religion in recent years, including the dismantling of religious structures.
Read also
Favor Foundation appeals for donations to UOC charity canteens
The charity is raising UAH 180,000 to purchase food for seven UOC charity canteens in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, and Oleksandriia.
UOC volunteers deliver 30 tons of aid from Bukovyna to Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers of the Chernivtsi and Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC brought about 30 tons of humanitarian aid for the Sviatohirsk Lavra and residents of nearby villages.
Kyiv Theological Academy professor mobilized
Kyiv Theological Academy lecturer Serhiy Bortnyk, who was detained by the TRC in Kyiv, has been mobilized.
Kherson Eparchy receives another aid shipment from Dnipro
120 food packages, over a ton of vegetables and dairy products have been delivered from Dnipro to Kherson for parishioners and needy residents.
Supreme Court denies UOC open hearing on appeal against DESS
Judges decide to consider UOC appeal against DESS in written proceedings.
Pope holds phone call with Putin
Pope Leo XIV discussed the humanitarian situation in Oleshky with Vladimir Putin.