China Arrests 18 Leaders of Underground Zion Church Amid Religious Crackdown

BEIJING, China — November 20, 2025 — Chinese authorities have formally arrested 18 leaders of the underground Zion Church, officials said Wednesday, marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing campaign to regulate religious organizations outside state control.

The arrests follow months of increased pressure on unregistered religious groups, with police detaining the church leaders to clear the way for potential prosecution and imprisonment. The Zion Church, which operates independently of the government-sanctioned religious bodies, has long been a target of Chinese officials wary of unauthorized religious activity.

According to authorities, the arrests were carried out after investigations into the church’s operations, which the government views as illegal due to its refusal to register with state religious authorities. The 18 individuals taken into custody include pastors and key organizers who have been instrumental in maintaining the church’s activities.

The crackdown is part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to tighten control over religious practice, particularly targeting groups that operate outside the officially recognized religious framework. Over the past several years, Beijing has increased surveillance, closed places of worship, and detained religious figures to enforce compliance with state regulations.

The Zion Church, based in the eastern city of Hangzhou, has grown substantially over the past decade, attracting thousands of worshippers. Despite its size, the church has remained unregistered, refusing to submit to government oversight, which has led to repeated confrontations with authorities.

Human rights observers have expressed concern over the arrests, noting that China’s approach to religious groups often involves harsh penalties and limited legal protections for those accused. The formal arrests signal a possible move toward criminal charges, which could result in lengthy prison sentences for the detained leaders.

China’s constitution nominally guarantees freedom of religious belief, but in practice, the government restricts religious activities that it perceives as a threat to social stability or its authority. The state-sanctioned religious organizations are closely monitored, and independent groups frequently face repression.

The government’s campaign against underground churches reflects its broader policy to assert control over civil society and limit any independent social or ideological influence. Religious groups that do not align with official doctrines or refuse registration are often labeled as illegal and subjected to punitive measures.

The arrests of the Zion Church leaders come amid a series of similar actions against other unregistered religious groups, including house churches and minority faith communities. Authorities have justified these measures as necessary to maintain social order and prevent foreign influence.

While the Chinese government has not released detailed information about the charges against the arrested leaders, legal experts anticipate that they could face accusations related to illegal assembly, disrupting public order, or other offenses commonly used against religious activists.

The international community has frequently criticized China’s restrictions on religious freedom, urging the government to respect the rights of individuals to practice their faith without interference. However, Beijing has maintained that its policies are aimed at ensuring harmony and national security.

As the situation develops, the fate of the 18 Zion Church leaders remains uncertain, with potential trials expected in the coming months. The arrests underscore the ongoing challenges faced by religious groups operating outside China’s official structures.