Chinese state-backed church criticises restrictions on size, construction of crosses

A state-approved church in China has issued a rare public criticism of proposed local government regulations on religious buildings, including limits on cross sizes, after a wave of church demolitions and removal of religious symbols in the area.

Zhejiang province, one of China’s wealthiest and a centre of Christianity in the country, has released draft rules requiring crosses for Catholic and Protestant churches to be attached to the front of the building, rather than on the roof, state media have reported.

They must also be no more than a tenth of the building’s height.

China’s ruling Communist Party keeps tight control over religion for fear it could challenge its grip on power, requiring followers to worship in places approved by the state and under government supervision.

The planned rules, which are open to public comment until May 20, follow a year-long campaign by Zhejiang, in eastern China, to crack down on churches it deems to be violating building codes, which activists say is a part of a wider move targeting religion.

“The rules make many unreasonable requests for Catholic and Protestant buildings,” said the state-backed Chongyi Church in Hangzhou, Zhejiang’s capital.