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Footage of crosses engulfed in fire have emerged as the Communist state continues to tighten its control over church operations across the country and there have also been reports of bibles being seized and burned.

Christian pastor Liang Zhang from Shangqiu city in Hennan province said officials came into his church and ordered the removal of a number of religious items.

He said: “For example, the banner saying: 'For God, so love the world' and the scriptures were torn down, and all things related to the Bible and faith had to be cleared out."

Mr Liang said the crackdown is part of a Government drive to "Sinicise" religion by demanding loyalty to the officially atheist Communist Party and eliminating any challenge to its power over people's lives.