(Hotan, Xinjiang – August 20, 2025) Authorities in Xinjiang, China, have imposed heavy fines on two members of an underground Christian church on the grounds of organizing unauthorized religious gatherings and privately distributing Christian educational materials. This administrative penalty has once again drawn public attention to China’s handling of religious freedom, especially in the highly sensitive region of Xinjiang.
According to information from the Chinese house church network, those penalized are core members of the “Living Spring Church,” Hou Zhuocai and Xie Rongguang. On May 28, the Hotan City Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau issued an administrative decision: a total fine of 116,966 RMB and the confiscation of 94 items related to church activities.
Living Spring Church is a house church unregistered with the official “Three-Self Patriotic Movement” and has long held Bible studies, singing hymns, and prayer meetings in private homes. The church was founded several years ago by Hou Zhuocai, Xie Rongguang, and others, mainly serving the Christian community of the Han Ethnicity in the Hotan area.
“Illegal Gatherings” and “Disturbing Order”: Accusations from Officials are Fraught with Ambiguity
According to the penalty notice issued by the Hotan City Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, between July 2020 and May 2024, the church organized “illegal religious activities” in multiple locations, involving minors and even “penetrating” schools, which triggered a high alert from the government. The document claimed that such frequent gatherings “could easily spark disputes and conflicts among people of different faiths and views, increasing factors of social instability.”
Previously, on March 26 and April 2, 2024, the church’s gatherings had already been shut down twice by public security. However, on May 19, Xie Rongguang still organized 14 Christians to meet near the Yuchuan Lake Bridge in Hotan for an outdoor gathering, which included activities such as Bible reading, prayer, and singing of hymns, which was caught on site by Gulbagh Police Station officers. Authorities claimed this “seriously disrupted the order of religious affairs management.”
According to Articles 41, 69, and 70 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs, and relevant provisions of the Public Security Administrative Punishment Law, the local authorities imposed the following penalties:
● Confiscation of illegal proceeds of 25,726 RMB (mainly offerings);
● A fine of 61,240 RMB (double the amount of donations received);
● A fine of 30,000 RMB for conducting religious education and training illegally;
● Confiscation of 94 items related to religious activities (specifics of items are not disclosed).
Religious Environment in Xinjiang Continues to Tighten, Affecting Christians
Although house churches across China often face restrictions in ambiguous areas of law, in Xinjiang, a region where surveillance and security controls are particularly intensive, religious life is subject to especially strict scrutiny. In recent years, international public opinion has primarily focused on the government’s mass surveillance and re-education campaigns targeting Uyghur Muslims. However, Christians also appear to be increasingly drawn into this high-pressure system of control.
“In Xinjiang, religious activity, whether of Muslims or Christians, is increasingly dominated by state control,” said a Washington-based human rights observer. “The message from the Chinese government is clear: unauthorized faith activities, regardless of their content or form, are considered potential threats.”
So far, authorities have not stated whether this case will lead to further investigation. The punished church members have not publicly responded, but they are expected to pursue legal recourse to seek justice.
Reported by Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent for ChinaAid
