China demands churches display signs supporting the Communist Party as part of a nationwide effort to merge Christianity with state ideology, while new regulations set to take effect will severely restrict foreign missionaries’ activities in the country.
At a Glance
- Government-sanctioned churches in Zhejiang province must display signs promoting love for the Communist Party alongside religious messages
- New regulations effective May 1 will require government approval for foreign missionaries and prohibit them from recruiting Chinese citizens
- Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, “sinicisation” aims to align religious practices with Chinese society and Communist Party objectives
- A 2018 law already prohibits minors from participating in religious activities, impacting Sunday schools and youth programs
- The Chinese Communist Party views Christianity’s growth as a threat to party loyalty and national stability
Churches Required to Display Communist Party Slogans
The Religious Affairs Bureau of Zhejiang province has mandated that government-sanctioned churches display signs promoting loyalty to the Communist Party. These new requirements force churches to post messages supporting “love for the party, love for the country, and love for religion,” alongside promotion of the sinicisation of religions. Zhejiang appears to be the first province implementing this policy, potentially serving as a test case before nationwide implementation. Church leaders report feeling they have no choice but to comply with these directives.
This mandate builds upon previous requirements that forced religious venues in Zhejiang to display the 12 Core Socialist Values and fly the national flag. These measures reflect the government’s systematic approach to ensuring churches prioritize allegiance to the state above religious principles. While state-sanctioned Three-Self churches must comply with these regulations, underground “house churches” continue operating outside official recognition, facing increased risks of persecution.
New Restrictions on Foreign Missionaries
Beginning May 1, China will implement strict new regulations on foreign missionaries, requiring government approval for lectures, sermons, and group activities. The Chinese Communist Party announced these measures under the guise of combating “extremism” and protecting national security. The regulations prohibit foreign missionaries from recruiting Chinese citizens, appointing clergy, organizing religious education, accepting donations, or distributing religious materials. Violations of these restrictions may result in criminal charges.
The timing of these regulations coincides with ongoing trade tensions with the United States, possibly to avoid international scrutiny. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has labeled China as a major violator of religious freedom. These actions against foreign religious influence complement internal measures restricting religious practice, including a 2018 law prohibiting minors from participating in religious activities, effectively eliminating Sunday schools and youth camps.
Christianity Viewed as Threat to Communist Authority
The Chinese Communist Party views Christianity’s growth as an existential threat to its authority, potentially undermining loyalty to the party. Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the strategy against religions includes forced sinicization, persecution of non-conformists, and legal restrictions aimed at curbing religious growth. These efforts include selecting Catholic bishops and insisting that patriotism must supersede religious devotion. Government campaigns have included initiatives to “retranslate and annotate the Bible to align with socialism.”
Reports of religious persecution include arrests and detentions of Christians for activities deemed illegal by the CCP. The Ministry of Public Security has intensified efforts against what it labels “cult organizations,” seizing significant assets in the process. According to Pew Research reports from 2023, these comprehensive measures have successfully stalled the previously rapid growth of Christianity in China, achieving a key objective for the Communist leadership concerned about competing loyalties among the population.
