Source: ABCNews.com

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031223_189.html

On December 23, 2003 ABCNews.com posted an Associated Press article that reported, "Chinese, few of whom are Christians, [have] adopt[ed] the holiday as a festive time to shop. But for members of China's unofficial Christian congregations, this is a season of fear as communist authorities crack down on unauthorized worship, detaining activists and bulldozing churches. 'Everyone is scared now. This Christmas will be tougher than usual,' said the organizer of an underground church in the eastern city of Hangzhou whose building was destroyed in October. The man spoke on condition of anonymity. The contrast between the crackdown and the Christmas celebrations highlights Chinese authorities' desire to isolate religious dissenters while exploiting the holiday's commercial potential."