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Public security officials stormed the property in central Hanan province after a crucifix was seen outside. An eyewitness, described the scene in Nanle as “miserable” as officials beat the Christian homeowner before turning on other Christians coming out of the property. Zhang Mingxuan, a pastor and president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, told China Aid: “It is against the national constitution and laws for house church believers to be beaten by Nanle County Public Security Bureau.

GETTY Churchgoers have been beaten and arrested in China

It is against the national constitution and laws for house church believers to be beaten by Nanle County Public Security Bureau Pastor Zhang Mingxua

“A lot of problems have been caused because the public security bureau personnel control, attack and persecute Christianity in Henan. I hope the international community will pray for them.” As chaos broke out in Nanle, officials in Xinjiang, raided a Christian couple’s house following reports a cross was displayed inside the property. The couple, who run a house church, were detained alongside a woman visiting their home.

CHINA AID Officials attack a Christian woman in China

AFP The Chinese Communist Party has been accused of cracking down on religious freedom

China Aid, who identified the couple as Dai and Li, say the couple and woman were taken away by police. Dani has since been released but his wife and their guest remain in jail. Officials reportedly confiscated other religious items from the couple’s home in north western China. It comes as China’s latest regulations on religion come into force.

LIGHTROCKET The crackdown has forced Christians to worship underground

Inside China's Military Superpower Sat, November 11, 2017 An inside view of the Chinese military over 120 years. Play slideshow VCG via Getty Images 1 of 23 Armed police soldiers lift timbers during a drill on August 24, 2016 in Chongqing, China. As the highest temperatures reached over 40 degree Celsius at 5 districts in Chongqing, officers and soldiers of an armed police crop took outdoor training

The Chinese Communist Party has been accused of cracking down on religious freedom with the laws which restrict worship. Xi Jinping’s despotic regime has banned Christians from praying, singing hymns, removed crosses from buildings and arrested people for attending worship. Christian charities have reported scenes of violence, Christians being arrested, sent to labour camps and tortured. The crackdown has forced Christians underground and has left a deal between the Vatican and China on the brink of collapse.