Beijing, March 8 -- Chinese authorities conducted a raid on a Protestant "house church" in Anhui province during a nationwide security crackdown coinciding with the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, as reported by Radio Free Asia(RFA).

Police and local authorities raided the Xinyi Village Church in Huainan city, Anhui, detaining nine members, including Pastor Zhao Hongliang, the RFA reported.

Four men, including Zhao, are currently under "criminal detention," while the other five were released on bail. According to RFA, local officials from the neighborhood committee and the religious affairs bureau have taken over the church premises, and police continue to intimidate its congregation, according to the report.

Since 2017, ...