Japanese Christians Detained by China Safely Return HomeJune 5, 2018 — ICC Note: 21 members of a Japanese Christian group who were detained between May 5 and 15 across China for their missionary activities have safely returned home, according to Japan’s Ministry...
Despite Warming Relationship, North Korea Still Bans South Korean InfluenceJune 3, 2018 — ICC Note: Although the two Koreas seem to have a budding détente, Pyongyang is still wary of North Koreans who show any links to South Korean influence, be it music...
Christian Sites Marking Persecution in Japan to Gain World Heritage RecognitionJune 1, 2018 — ICC Note: Several Christian landmarks in Japan marking the religious persecution Christians endured during the Tokugawa shogunate (1630-1867) might soon gain World Heritage recognition status from UNESCO. The sites, located in...
China Launches Five-Year Plan to Sinicize the Catholic ChurchMay 31, 2018 — ICC Note: To reinforce the country’s Sinicization of religion, the Patriotic Association of Chinese Catholics and the Council of Chinese Bishops have launched a “Five-Year Plan of Development for the Sinicization...
Hong Kong Church Group Calls for the Release of Disappeared Chinese BishopMay 30, 2018 — ICC Note: Bishop Cui Tai in Hebei province has disappeared since mid-April, and his whereabouts are still unknown. The Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong issued a statement on May...
Taiwan Archbishop Asks Pope Not to Sacrifice Taiwan Over Vatican-China DealMay 22, 2018 — ICC Note: Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan and his Taiwanese delegation visited the Pope on May 14. In the meeting, he asked Pope Francis to protect Taiwan from being sacrificed as part...
Communist Party Members Infiltrate Chinese Churches for DecadesMay 22, 2018 — ICC Note: UCA News published the first of three articles focusing on research carried out by Professor Ying Fuk-tsang about the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to infiltrate churches and church organizations...
Ways You Can Pray for North Korea’s Human Rights and ChristiansMay 21, 2018 — ICC Note: Although North Korean government recently released three Korean-American detainees all believed to be Christians, it does not signify that human rights situation in the country is improving. Open Doors...
North Koreans Indifferent to Kim Jong Un’s Diplomatic OffensiveMay 19, 2018 — ICC Note: North Koreans are not impressed by their leader’s recent diplomatic offensive with other major international actors. They don’t believe the latest propaganda will lead to the betterment of their...
Zhejiang Province in China Targets and Harasses Christians AgainMay 18, 2018 — ICC Note: Many churches in Zhejiang province have reported that local authorities have moved to meticulously inspect religious venues and intimidate churchgoers. The government uses the fire safety issues as a...
Taiwan Bishops Invite Pope to Visit TaiwanMay 16, 2018 — ICC Note: Seven Taiwanese bishops visited Rome to meet and invite the Pope to make a historic visit to Taiwan next year, a move that would irritate China. There has been...
House Churches in Beijing Face Increasing Pressure from the GovernmentMay 15, 2018 — ICC Note: Two house churches in Beijing report that local authorities have investigated their venues in the past week and pressured landlords to stop leasing to the churches. House churches in...
Three former Korean-American Detainees Reunited with Their FamiliesMay 14, 2018 — ICC Note: The three former Korean-American detainees who were held by North Korea have left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after their release to reunite with their families. According...
China Arrests Sichuan Pastor, Prevents Memorial Service on Earthquake AnniversaryMay 13, 2018 — ICC Note: China arrests an outspoken pastor in Sichuan and prevents him and his congregation from holding a memorial service to mourn the death of more than 70,000 on the 10th...
Beijing Moves to Tighten Control of Foreigners’ Religious Activities in ChinaMay 11, 2018 — ICC Note: Radio Free Asia has learned that China is further tightening control of religion for foreign nationals who practice their religions on Chinese soil, in order to prevent “hostile foreign...
House Church Pastor in Guizhou Province Tried for Leaking State SecretsMay 9, 2018 — ICC Note: On April 26, Su Tianfu, one of the pastors of Houshi Church in China’s inland Guizhou province was tried for “intentionally disclosing state secrets.” He was found guilty although...
