Christian persecution intensifies as China accelerates Sinicization

Independent Chinese Christian communities are facing an intensified crackdown as the communist government led by President Xi Jinping accelerates the controversial policy of Sinicization of religions, the latest reports show.

In the most recent crackdown in June, armed police stormed the Early Rain Covenant, an influential church that operates without state registration, and detained more than 30 members, ChinaAid reported.

London-based The Telegraph reported on July 12 that more than 10,000 Christians have been arrested across China since 2012, when Xi came to power.