Police arrest Early Rain Church members in China

<p>Chengdu police in South Western China have arrested dozens of Protestant Church members, in a crackdown on unregistered religious groups.</p> <p>Police are believed to have detained over a hundred members of the Early Rain Covenant Church, making the arrests at their homes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Under China's constitution there is a right to religious freedom, but this has been under attack since President Xi Jinping came to office six years ago.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jinping views religious freedom as a challenge to the continued authority of the Community Party.&nbsp;</p> <p>Under Chinese law places of worship are required to register with the state and submit to its oversight but a few organisations, including the Early Rain Church, have refused.&nbsp;</p> <p>In February, increasing pressure came on churches to register with the Chinese state in the form of new regulations, those who failed to comply would face harsh punishments. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>So far Chengdu and national-level public security ministries have not responded to this crackdown.<br> &nbsp;</p>