China Faulted on Religious Freedom

In its first report on the persecution of Christians around the world, the State Department sharply criticized China for suppressing religious freedom, the New York Times reported. The Chinese government has regularly cracked down on unregistered Catholic and Protestant groups, raided worship groups meeting in private homes and sometimes detained, interrogated or beat leaders, according to the report, which details international restrictions on religious freedom in 78 countries. Congress mandated the report last year.