Sir, - "There is no general persecution of Christians in China," according to Dr Han Wenzao, President of the government-approved China Christian Council (Irish Times, July 9th). Really?
Why then were 100 housechurch leaders arrested during the first three months of 1997? Why is Xu Yonqze (one of those arrested), an internationally respected leader of a house-church grouping with several million followers, now facing a lengthy prison term? Why has Dr Wenzao launched a public attack on Xu rather than defend him - as one might expect of a fellowChristian?
Could it be that Chinese government policy on religion is more clearly shown by the following quote from an internal public security document from Zhejiang province (dated February 27th, 1997)? "The targets aimed for are: the breaking up of Catholic and Protestant underground forces and the winning over of the vast majority of the religious masses through re-education so that they will go along the road of `Love Country, Love Religion'." - Yours, etc., DAVID TURNER, (Honorary Secretary) Christian Concern for
Freedom of Conscience,
South Lotts Road,
Dublin 4.