News Brief
70 Christians arrested in Chinese crackdown

Beijing, China - According to the New York-based Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China, about 70 Christians have disappeared or been secretly arrested in China in recent months. The Christians arrested worshipped in underground "house" churches which operate outside the control of the communist government.

The crackdown came in preparation for China's Communist Party's national congress, which occurs about once every five years. Commonly arrested are political and religious activists, and any others who may potentially embarrass the Party during high-profile events.