Children and Teachers Detained During Bible Study in Fuyang
(Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China – April 30, 2025) On April 29, 2025, a troubling incident occurred in Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China, where local police forcibly detained ten Christian children aged five to six, along with their five Sunday school teachers. According to the latest reports, two of the five teachers were placed in detention in the early hours of April 30.
Police Raid and Confiscation During Sunday School Session
The incident reportedly took place around 1:30 in the afternoon on the 29th, during a routine Bible study session held in a private residence by this group of people. Officers from the Modern Industrial Park Police Substation in Fuyang forcefully entered the residence, confiscated mobile phones, and conducted a search. It is said that when parents went to pick up their children, the authorities refused to let them go.
Psychological Impact on Detained Children
After a period of detention, all the children have now returned to their families. However, at least one child reportedly experienced significant psychological distress, including repeated seizures, and initially received limited medical attention from the authorities. The child is now undergoing medical evaluation and is accompanied by family members.
Detention and Abuse Allegations Against Bible Teachers
Unfortunately, two Bible teachers, Chen Fangfang and Wang Dandan, were transferred to a detention center at approximately 1 a.m. on April 30, 2025.
Disturbing allegations have emerged regarding the treatment of Chen Fangfang. It is claimed that Qu Jie, the chief of the Sanshipu Police Station in Fuyang, verbally and physically abused her. Reportedly, the abuses included insulting, humiliating, spitting on her face, and dousing her with water. Wang Dandan, a member of the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang, had previously been detained for 15 days on January 18, 2024, for her participation in church activities.
Eyewitnesses at the detention center noted that when both teachers were being taken away, they appeared joyful and encouraged others. The teachers reportedly stated that they had not received any formal detention notices. When repeatedly asked about the duration of the detention, police officers responded with, “I’m not going to tell you all.”
Call for Prayer and Protection of Religious Freedom
This incident has raised serious concerns about the state of religious freedom in China and the treatment of individuals engaged in the practice of the Christian faith. ChinaAid asks for prayers for the safety and well-being of all those affected and urges local authorities to end discriminatory actions against Christians of the Reformed Church and protect Christians in the Fuyang region from being subjected to undue harassment.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)