freedom of religion

Worshippers Protest Destruction of Church in Wenzhou

Hundreds of worshipers at a state-approved congregation in Wenzhou have staged a sit-in protest in an attempt to save their church from demolition. Officials initially decided to completely raze the church despite the fact that it was built in conformity with local laws and regulations. In response to the demonstrations, the government decided on Friday to spare the main building but destroy the annex. Worshippers believe that officials targeted their church because of the building’s size, an eight-story structure covering more than 1,000 square meters.

Obama talks Internet Freedom, Freedom of Religion in Shanghai

On his visit to Shanghai, President Obama defended internet and religious freedoms during a townhall forum with around 400 Shanghai students.  "These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation, we believe are universal rights," the president said, referring to four rights curtailed in China.

Unsurprisingly, the Chinese government was at work to censor the President's anti-censorship message, blocking internet portals that streamed the event.  According to the Christian Science Monitor, "Chinese censors blocked Facebook and YouTube, limiting coverage to local TV and China's official news agency." To see the president's message, view the videos below: