Beijing authorities who shut down a Christian church after its pastor criticised new curbs on religion have now ordered it to pay 1.2 million yuan ($170,000) in back rent and removal costs. The Zion Church had been one of China’s biggest unofficial Protestant churches until it was suddenly shut down earlier this month amid greater pressure on religion in the country. In a list of expenses seen by AFP, the Beijing municipal authority said Jianweitang -- the holding company of Zion Church – owes them some 800,000 yuan in back rent. Christians in the country are split between unofficial “house” or “underground” churches like Zion, and state-sanctioned churches where Communist Party songs also feature in the order of service. China’s 12 million Catholics are divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party and an “underground” church loyal to the Vatican.

Source: Hindustan Times September 26, 2018 12:56 UTC