Demolished churches were built illegally, officials say

The demolition of churches in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, did not target religion, but was aimed at rectifying illegal construction and paving the way for economic development, according to local officials.

Land has been reserved for rebuilding the churches, the officials say.

An official at the Zhejiang Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, who declined to be named, said 512 million square meters of illegal constructions had been demolished or refurbished in the province by the end of July.