A report on Human Rights practices in China has been released by the Bureau of Democracy. The report revealed the repression of members of unregistered religious groups in parts of the country.

"Government officials increased vigilance against 'foreign infiltration under the guise of religion.' The Government detained and prosecuted a number of underground religious figures in both the Protestant and Catholic Church." stated the Bureau.

Protestants Liu Fengang, Xu Yonghai, and Zhang Shengqi were recently sentenced for sending information that the Government considered sensitive to overseas organisations. Members of unregistered religious groups have experienced "ongoing and, in some cases, increase official interference, harassment, and repression."

According to the report, the Government continues to enforce regulations and requires all places of religious activity to be registered with the Government.

Groups in some provinces were required to register to come under the supervision of official "patriotic" religious organisations. Officially registered churches, temples and mosques are able to carry out religious worship. However, in some areas, unregistered churches have been destroyed, religious services broken up, and church leaders have been harassed, detained or beaten.

"The Government in many areas intensified pressure against Protestant house churches and their leaders during the year," stated the HRW.

In July, over 100 house church leaders from the Anhiu Province were reportedly detained in Xinjiang during a religious retreat. Later that month, 40 house church leaders were detained for attending a religious training seminar in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. In August, over 100 house Christians were also reportedly detained during a religious retreat in Kaifeng, Henan Province. And in December, underground church leader Zhang Rongliang was detained in Henan Province. His whereabouts are yet to be known.

The Bureau's report was released one day before China's new regulations to protect freedom of faith was due to take effect. The new guidelines have been touted as giving a legal framework for China's constitutional promise of religious freedom. However, some say the guidelines could be used by authorities to persecute 'troublesome' religious groups instead.