Crackdown on Chinese christians.

"China's Public Security Bureau [PSB] has launched a new crackdown on unregistered church leaders, arresting 50 or more people following the release of a new video and book documenting huge growth among Christians outside the officially permitted church," reported the February 16 issue of Christianity Today.

The PSB's assault began during the Communist regime's annual National Religious Working Conference, which assembles the top leaders of the Religious Affairs Bureau and the United Front Work Department. During that meeting, "Communist leaders screened a new four-hour digital video, The Cross: Jesus in China," recalls Christianity Today. They were also briefed on the recent book Jesus in Beijing by former Time magazine China correspondent David Aikman. "Both the video and the book document the stunning growth and vibrancy of Christianity in China"--which, by some estimates, has led to a population of 100 million believers, most of whom worship outside government-approved channels.

Among those snared in the PSB's anti-Christian campaign are Qiao Chunling, Deborah Xu Yongling and Zeng Guangbo, who are prominent Protestant leaders from Henan province. Xu is the sister of Peter Xu Yongze, the founder of China's "born-again" house-church movement, whose followers number in the millions. Both Deborah and Peter have been arrested on numerous occasions, and Peter (who escaped prison in 1997) now lives in exile.

Communist authorities designate any congregation not under government supervision as a "cult." In 2001, the regime convicted Pastor Gong Shengliang and several other leaders of the South China Church for operating a "cult." Sentenced to die, Gong and his associates were allowed a second trial following an international outcry. Prior to the second trial, Communist authorities arrested several Christian women and tortured them into accusing Pastor Gong of raping them. According to Peter Xu, "One sister was beaten to death." Gong's church has been banned, and he remains in prison.