Henan Preacher Arrested for Purchasing Christian Books Online

In recent developments, a preacher named Chen Lijun from Luoyang, Henan province, has been formally arrested for purchasing Christian books online without authorization. His wife, Li Xiaoyan, has shared the family’s dire circumstances, highlighting the challenges they face without his support. The couple must care for two elderly parents suffering from cancer, while Li Xiaoyan herself is in poor health. Their financial situation is further strained by her monthly salary of approximately 2,000 yuan, less than 300 US dollars.
The arrest of Chen Lijun aligns with a broader pattern of increased scrutiny and detention of pastors and house church leaders in the lead-up to the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Public security authorities have intensified efforts to suppress unregistered religious activities, sending a clear message that unauthorized religious practices must be made invisible during this politically sensitive period. This approach reflects a strategic effort to limit the influence of independent house churches, which operate outside the government-controlled Three-Self Church system.
Another case in Henan province involves Pastor Yang Jianxin, whose five-and-a-half-year prison sentence was confirmed on appeal. He was accused of printing Bibles without authorization, underscoring the CCP’s focus on controlling religious literature and its distribution. Such actions are part of a larger strategy to restrict the activities of independent congregations, as outlined by President Xi Jinping’s vision of eradicating unregistered religious groups.
The CCP’s control over religious materials is not limited to domestic efforts. China’s transnational pressure and escalating threats have driven the expansion of its influence beyond its borders, fostering a peaceful spiritual community that is increasingly under scrutiny. This trend is part of a broader effort to tighten control over the Special Administrative Region, including heightened religious supervision and intensified social management.
The recent inspections and crackdowns follow similar actions in Xinjiang, where authorities have intensified their efforts to monitor and regulate religious practices. These measures reflect a consistent approach to religious control, emphasizing political pressure and social management as tools to maintain order and conformity. The underlying goal remains the suppression of independent religious activities, reinforcing the state’s authority over spiritual life.

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