Chinese authorities are reportedly becoming more strict when it comes to implementing rules for Christians, especially those who celebrate during the Christmas season.
In a recent report by Yahoo News, authorities in China's eastern province, Zhejiang, have toppled down crosses from Christian churches because of 'building code violations'.
However, people believe that it was their faith that is being targeted by the authorities.
"They keep a very close watch on us, and there is nothing we can do," a church official told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He also mentions that crosse which were already taken down cannot be re-erected anymore as any attempts would be stopped.
In the report, it appears that China is concentrating on the country's regions where there are thriving Christian communities, such as Wenzhou, which is considered as the country's 'Jerusalem'. Statistics from independent scholars state that Christians in China may have reached 100 million, while the members of the country's Communist Party are only 85 million.
Last week, reports claim that the 4,000 churches in the province have been banned by authorities to host any Christmas or Christian-related activities in schools.
Meanwhile, Christians will have to get used to spending the succeeding Christmas seasons under a roof without a cross. This is because the 400 churches whose crosses have been toppled down have been instructed not to attempt re-erecting them.
One church whose members tried to rebuild their building's cross has been placed under a 24-hour watch, which reportedly has been on going for the last five months.