Chinese Communist Party forces closure of Christian website after 20 years of service

A long-running Christian website was recently shut down by the Chinese Communist Party as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to abolish Christianity.

The US-based persecution watchdog, International Christian Concern reports that a notice was posted on the homepage of “Jona Home” on April 12.

“For reasons known to all, our site can no longer serve brothers and sisters in Christ,” the message read. “Thank you all for your company and support over the past 21 years!”

He continues: “A website gone is just a website gone, it doesn’t make sense. Except the link to the website can no longer be opened, there is nothing else that has stopped at this point. Do not worry. , and keep walking.”

A #Christian website with more than 20 years of history in #China ceased to function thanks to government repression. Read more: https://t.co/Hkh0HxLL4u

— International Christian Concern (@persecutionnews) April 30, 2022

CBN News previously reported that China’s State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) announced new measures restricting all forms of religious activity.

Churches, religious groups and colleges that planned to hold online worship services would be required to obtain an Internet religious information service license.

In addition, live broadcasts or online recordings of religious ceremonies are prohibited. The new measures came into force on March 1, 2022 and prohibit an organization or individual from fundraising “in the name of religion”.

Father Francis Liu of the Chinese Christian Fellowship of Righteousness told Radio Free Asia: “The closure of Jona Home reflects the way Chinese authorities are cracking down on Christianity. I am sad from the bottom of my heart about the closure of such a website. it is the most direct result of the way China currently persecutes and oppresses religious freedom.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced “sinicization” in 2015 with plans to “subject religious groups in China to socialism and CCP ideology by assimilating them into a unified identity with Chinese characteristics.”

China is ranked 17th in the Open Doors 2022 ranking Global Watch List where Christians suffer the most persecution.

Please continue to pray for persecuted Christians throughout China.

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