According to China Aid, the Three-Self Patriotic Association and Christian Council of Qingdao City, Shandong Province, published a copy of the notice relating Restrictions on Churches in China’s Shandong Province: a ban on live broadcasts as well as releases of preaching audios and videos.

The notice stated that groups are to adhere to the unified instructions of the United Front Work Department’s provincial and municipal party committee and prohibit all publication and spread of preaching videos or audios in the post-pandemic period, to prevent illegal missionary activities on the internet to be exploited.

Two days earlier, the United Front Work Department of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee also issued a notice banning Christians in the province from using the internet to broadcast Christian activities.

In order to address the latest COVID-19 outbreak in various regions, Shandong Qingdao’s authorities already ordered all Christian churches and gathering venues in Qingdao to be closed on the 14th of January, and all church activities were suspended.

The further restrictions on sermon podcasts and videos indicate the government’s ongoing crackdown on Christianity. With the internet, it is easier for Christians and seekers to access sermons from churches that are not vetted by the state, which concerns the government. 

Source: persecution.org