The leaders of 17 unofficial Christian churches in China have appealed to political leaders to protect their right to worship.
A petition was delivered to parliament demanding an investigation into the treatment of Shouwang church members.
China's constitution guarantees freedom of worship but dozens of church members have been arrested in recent months.
Of China's estimated 70m Christians, about 50m worship with unregistered groups known as "house" churches.
The rest attend government-approved churches.
'Protection of the liberty'
Shouwang is one of Beijing's biggest so-called underground churches, with more than 1,000 members.
Such groups are broadly tolerated, but Shouwang leaders have
annoyed the authorities in recent weeks by insisting on trying to hold
services in the open, after the lease on church premises was terminated.
The petition, which was signed by the pastors of 17 of the
leading house churches, was addressed to the National People's Congress
chairman, Wu Bangguo.
"We have observed the conflict between state and church
unfolding recently in our capital Beijing and have so far seen no sign
of the conflict being resolved," the petition said.
It urged ministers for a new law for the "protection of the liberty of religious faith".
China's Foreign Ministry said Shouwang members had "tried
repeatedly to gather illegally in the streets" and the government
response was intended to "maintain public order and security".
"The Chinese government safeguards the right of Chinese
citizens to religious freedom and freedom of faith in accordance with
the law," spokesman Jiang Yu said at a news briefing.
"At the same time, while enjoying their freedom, citizens
must respect their legal rights and obligations and cannot harm the
public interest."