Protesting China churches have power cut off

Authorities in China's coastal Zhejiang province cut off two churches' electricity supply after they refused to comply with orders to install security cameras.

Fire safety departments in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, issued a notice to Gesancun Church last week, claiming the 400-500 member church is overly crowded and poses fire hazards China Aid reported.

As a result, the government temporarily cut off its power and water supply and demanded that the church fix the problems or face forced intervention, saying they could not use the building until the issues were resolved.

According to reports, an unnamed church's power supply was also severed.

Despite the government's claim that it severed the power supply for safety reasons, Christians suspect it is in retaliation for the churches failing to comply with efforts to install surveillance cameras in a campaign that is sweeping the province.

Officially, authorities say the cameras will improve church security, but it will also make it easier for them to monitor religious activity.

Some Buddhist temples have also been required to use surveillance equipment.

The two churches remain the only two without cameras, in the area.

Although Gesancun Church refuses to succumb to this pressure and purchased a diesel tank in order to continue carrying out its regular services, one of its attendees said, "We are trying our best to avoid the installation, but the church is too weak to fight against the government. We can't do anything if the government decides to take violent measures."