LEIYANG, HUNAN PROVINCE, CHINA — Oct. 8, 2026 — Police in south-central China have sealed a house church meeting place and ordered a Christian organizer detained for 15 days, another enforcement action against unregistered religious gatherings in the region.
The Leiyang City Public Security Bureau in Hunan Province issued the detention order Sept. 21, according to a redacted administrative penalty decision reviewed by ChinaAid. A separate source confirmed that police also sealed the basement used for the gatherings.
According to the decision, the Christian began practicing the faith in 2014 and later purchased and renovated a basement near a local hot spring. Police said dozens of people gathered there on Sundays for evangelism and Bible study.
Police said their findings were supported by the organizer’s statements, witness testimony, surveillance footage and religious materials seized at the scene. The decision characterized the gatherings as illegal religious activities and stated that the evidence was conclusive.
Citing Article 31 of China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law, authorities ordered 15 days of detention at the Leiyang City Detention Center. Unlike a criminal sentence, administrative detention is a penalty imposed by police rather than a court.
The decision states that the individual may seek administrative reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the notice or file an administrative lawsuit within six months. It does not mention the sealing of the meeting place.
The case follows other actions against house churches in Hunan. In July, authorities raided several congregations in Yueyang, with three Christians subsequently facing criminal charges. In September, ChinaAid reported that police pressure had extended to Christian educators and students.
China tightly regulates religious activities and generally requires organized worship to take place through officially approved religious institutions and venues. Unregistered house churches operating outside this system continue to face police investigations, closures, detentions and other enforcement measures.
Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.