India, Oct. 13 -- The Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown against one of the country's largest unregistered Christian congregations, Zion Church, detaining dozens of pastors and members across multiple provinces.

The operation, the biggest against Christians since 2018, came amid tensions between China and the US and Beijing's restriction on the export of rare earth materials, Reuters reported.

"Our detained pastors and believers are innocent Christians whose only act is worshipping God, preaching the Gospel, and serving their communities," the church said in the statement.

The move has received condemnation from rights bodies and the US State Department.

Although it is unclear what led to the latest crackdown, it is believe...