Chinese Authorities Interrogate Christian Students in Hunan Province

Authorities in China’s Hunan province have reportedly interrogated primary and secondary school students regarding their involvement in unregistered Protestant churches. According to the advocacy group ChinaAid, police officers in Yueyang questioned children individually for several hours, with some students as young as first grade. Reports indicate that officials pressured the children to sign statements accusing their congregations of religious indoctrination. While some students complied under pressure, others refused, leading to concerns among families regarding the psychological impact of these encounters.

The interrogations follow a series of coordinated police raids on unregistered churches that began in July. Beyond the questioning of students, the crackdown has extended to the academic sector. ChinaAid reports that educators have faced disciplinary actions, including suspensions, for their Christian faith or for participating in Bible study groups led by detained church leaders. In one instance, a teacher was threatened with a state security investigation after defending their right to study Scripture. These actions are part of a broader effort by local authorities to monitor and restrict the activities of independent religious groups in the region.