China detains Christian man for listening to audio Bible in car

A Christian man from a Muslim background has been detained in northwest China after police discovered a USB stick containing audio Bible recordings in his vehicle. The incident occurred during a family trip to visit other believers. Upon being questioned at a checkpoint, the man reportedly stated, “Because I believe in Jesus, I was listening to the Bible through the USB.”

Following his detention, the man’s wife and children were temporarily hosted by another Christian family while his whereabouts remained unknown for several days. Authorities also reportedly questioned the family providing refuge. The man is expected to be held for fifteen days, though no official charges or specific motives for the detention have been communicated.

According to the NGO Open Doors, such incidents are part of a broader crackdown on religious activities in China. The organization notes that converts from Muslim or Buddhist backgrounds are often viewed as traitors and face heightened surveillance, interrogation, and imprisonment. China is ranked 17th in the 2026 World Watch List for Christian persecution.