Chinese authorities have ordered the removal of crosses at two more churches in the southeastern province of Zhejiang.

The move has heightened concerns over religious freedom in China amid an ongoing government campaign to demolish structures that they say violate zoning regulations.

Like Us on Facebook

According to media reports, public security officials in the city of Wenzhou on Monday removed a 10-foot crucifix at the Longgang Township Gratitude Church using a blowtorch and a crane.

Believers held an overnight vigil before the police moved in.

But the operation took place without incident unlike previously when parishioners attempted to prevent police from removing a cross at another church.

Qu Linuo, who is a pastor in Zhejiang, said they did not want to have a confrontation with the authorities, but "what they did was illegal."

Before the operation in Wenzhou, police in the city of Taizhou had two crosses removed from atop the Wenling church.

A standoff ensued between hundreds of police officers and church members.

Police detained 40 people during the incident, according to witnesses.

The authorities have defended the demolitions, saying they are only trying to enforce zoning rules.

In April, the entire structure housing the Sanjiang Church in Wenzhou came under the bulldozer because of alleged building code violations.

More than 100 churches are included in the government's demolition order.

Most are state-approved churches, indicating that the perceived crackdown on Christians might no longer be limited to underground churches.

Analysts and leaders of Christian congregations have dismissed the government's explanation for the demolitions.

They say the Chinese government is trying to contain the growth of Christianity because it views Christians as a potential threat to its authority.

Christianity has gained large numbers of followers over the years, and reports say their population rivals the 86 million-strong Communist Party of China.

In Wenzhou, the Christian community is among the wealthiest and most influential in China, according to a report by the group Christian Solidarity Wordwide.

TagsChina religion, Christians in China, Chinese Christians, Wenzhou, Zhejiang