BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- Four members of a Christian group from the United States are refusing to leave an airport in China after authorities confiscated their 300 Bibles , the group 's director said Monday . Members of a Christian group say they will not leave China until their Bibles are returned . The four members of Vision Beyond Borders -- based in Sheridan , Wyoming -- arrived in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming on Sunday . Customs officials discovered the Bibles during an X-ray scan of their luggage , said Pat Klein , director of the group , which supplies Bibles and other Christian material to people in China and other countries . Under Chinese law , it is illegal to bring printed religious material into the country if it exceeds the amount for personal use . The group distributes the Bibles through a local shop owner in Kunming , according to Klein . Klein said he 's been bringing Bibles into China for 21 years and had no idea he was breaking Chinese law . The group spent the night at the airport , and Chinese customs officials told them they had broken the law and repeatedly asked them to leave the airport , Klein said . He said the customs agents have not been antagonistic . China says Christians are free to worship in China -- as long as they worship in a church that registers with the government . People in China can buy Bibles , but some members of underground or unregistered churches in China say Bibles are in short supply in some locations , especially rural areas , according to a 2007 report from the U.S. State Department . The Report on International Religious Freedom warned that the distribution of religious publications in China is closely watched . All publication in China is controlled by the government , whether religious or otherwise . `` Customs officials continued to monitor for the 'smuggling ' of Bibles and other religious material into the country , '' the report said . `` Religious texts published without authorization , including Bibles and Qurans , may be confiscated . '' President Bush criticized China 's record on human rights and religious freedom in a speech he made before going to China for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics . `` I have spoken clearly , candidly and consistently with China 's leaders about our deep concerns over religious freedom and human rights , '' he said . `` And I have met repeatedly with Chinese dissidents and religious believers . The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings . '' Qin Gang , a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry , brushed aside Bush 's criticism . `` We firmly oppose any statements or deeds which use human rights , religion and other issues to interfere with the internal affairs of other countries , '' he said . He said China `` keeps to the concept of putting people 's interest first and is devoted to maintaining and promoting basic rights and freedom of its citizens . `` Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion in accordance with the law . '' While in China , Bush worshipped at a church that operates with government permission . That drew criticism from Amnesty International and other advocates of religious freedom , who said that Bush was endorsing the Chinese government 's regulation of churches . Klein , meanwhile , said his group members wo n't leave until their Bibles are returned . `` We 're being inconvenienced a little , but it 's nothing compared to what our brothers and sisters in China experience for their faith in Jesus Christ , '' Klein said . They are scheduled to travel to Bangkok , Thailand , on Wednesday . CNN 's Christine Theodorou contributed to this report .
300 Bibles found during an X - ray examination of group 's possessions . It 's illegal in China to possess any religious material for more than personal use . China : Christians free to worship in government - registered churches . Group members say they will not leave airport until bibles are returned .