As China continues preparations for the Olympics, the communist government has launched a campaign against house churches in one region of the country.

The Public Security Bureau recently arrested 46 Christians as they attended a Bible class and worship service in the Xinjiang province. According to Voice of the Martyrs, the area is home to a large Muslim population. Spokesman Todd Nettleton says such crackdowns are  common.
 
"When a crackdown happens in that part of the country, the Chinese will announce ... the crackdown as a crackdown on terrorism," says Nettleton. "[T]he reality is these were Christian people meeting together to worship Jesus Christ."
 
Nettleton continues, saying it is unfortunate the Chinese government's crackdown on Christians will not be on the radar of worldwide media when they cover the Beijing games. He expects the increased persecution to continue as the Games approach.
 
"They won't have an Olympic event for arresting Christians, but the reality is the world does need to know what's going on behind the scenes," he asserts. "They do need to know about the human-rights conditions in China and the conditions for our brothers and sisters."
 
The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal worship activities, and study the government's handbook on Religious Policy.