Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Christmas is growing in popularity in China Kang Wei/ChinaFotoPress/PA Images

What happens when you try celebrating Christmas in a religious way in China (video)

Christmas is getting very popular in China – but the officials are not happy with ‘outdoors events of a religious nature’.

CHRISTMAS IN CHINA has grown immensely popular over the past decade.

Around 90 per cent of people in Beijing have plans over Christmas according to CNC World. Hopefully they don’t involve celebrating in a religious way out in public.

AP reports that the small Xintan Village Church tried to host an outdoor Christmas party on Tuesday until officials came and destroyed their equipment and harassed the people celebrating.

The deputy director of religious affairs, Zeng Jianhua, told AP, “We told them that any outdoors event of a religious nature is strictly banned from being organised, and that’s what it states in the government rule on religion.”

The village of Ruian in Zhejian Province is often called “Christmas Village” because it makes Christmas products. It produced over €59.8 billion worth of Christmas ornaments this year.

The video of the village celebration begins at 1:24. It shows police first cutting off the electricity to the stage, and then entering and arresting a man trying to take pictures. Police proceed onto the stage where two small fights are quickly broken up.

- By Andrew Shen

Read more stories like this on Business Insider>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 38 comments
Close
38 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds