The United States has condemned China’s detention of several leaders linked to one of Beijing’s largest unofficial Protestant churches, calling it an act of “hostility towards Christians,” Reuters reported. In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Chinese authorities to release those detained and to allow freedom of worship. “We call on the CCP to immediately release the detained church leaders and to allow all people of faith, including members of house churches, to engage in religious activities without fear of retribution,” Rubio said, according to Reuters. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 20 people associated with the Zion Church, which had operated for years with relative freedom, were either detained or missing. Rubio said the United States would continue to raise concerns over religious freedom in China.
