Chinese Province Removes Hundreds of Crosses from Churches
- Carrie Dedrick
- Updated May 14, 2015
![Chinese Province Removes Hundreds of Crosses from Churches](https://i.swncdn.com/media/700w/crosswalk/resource/areas/crosswalk/resources/images/defaultimages/article-large-landscape.png)
Chinese authorities in Zhejiang province have stripped crosses from the outside of hundreds of churches, according to reports.
Pastor Zheng Leguo, who is originally from Zhejiang province, said, "The authorities have attached great importance to this religious symbol. This means no more prominent manifestation of Christianity in the public square."
According to The Christian Post, a new law has also been proposed that would ban churches in the province from placing any new crosses on the roofs of buildings. Authorities have justified that law by saying crosses on building violated building codes.
"This new draft law is just another attempt by the government to legitimize its existing illegal violent campaign of destruction and removal of the cross," said Bob Fu of U.S.-based China Aid.
About 400 crosses have been removed from churches in Zhejiang since 2014.
Publication date: May 14, 2015