BEIJING — In central China, where old customs meet strict government control, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has stepped up its campaign against Christianity. Under President Xi Jinping, the government has tightened its grip on religious activity, using new rules, constant monitoring, and open crackdowns.
Churches are being forced to close, bishops have been detained, and believers face more pressure than ever. The government also no longer allows foreigners to speak about their faith or set up religious groups without official permission. These measures reflect the party’s fear that outside ideas could threaten its authority, raising concerns worldwide about religious liberty in China.
A Look at Christianity’s Struggle Under CCP Rule
Christianity first arrived in China in the 7th century, brought by Nestorian missionaries. Later, Jesuit priests in the 16th century and Protestant missionaries in the 19th century helped spread the faith further. Since the CCP took power in 1949, Christianity has been seen as a foreign influence that challenges the state’s ideology. During the Cultural Revolution, churches were destroyed and religious leaders were jailed. Rules eased in the 1980s, but Xi Jinping’s rise marked a return to strict oversight.
Today, China’s Christian population is estimated at 70 to 100 million, including both Protestants and Catholics. This rivals the size of the CCP itself, making party officials uneasy. In response, the government introduced a policy in 2015 called “sinicization.”
This policy requires all religions to fit within Chinese culture and Communist principles, putting faith under tight government control. Worship is allowed, but only through approved organizations like the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) for Protestants.
Pressure on Catholic Bishops
China’s estimated 5.7 to 12 million Catholics have faced unique problems, partly because of their connection to the Vatican. The CCP has long seen the Vatican as an outside force, and in 1957 set up the CCPA to oversee the church and reject papal authority. In 2018, the Vatican and China signed an agreement letting the Pope veto bishops picked by the government. Critics say this deal has not protected Catholics, especially those loyal to the Pope but not recognized by the state.
The Hudson Institute reported that 10 bishops approved by the Vatican have suffered harsh treatment since the deal. Some have been detained without trial, vanished, or forced into “reeducation.” Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu of Xinxiang has not been seen since police arrested him in May 2021. Bishop Shao Zhumin from Wenzhou has been taken away by authorities several times. Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin has been under house arrest since 2012 after he refused to follow the CCPA during his ordination. The report says the government singles out leaders who refuse to submit to CCP control, aiming to break ties between Chinese Catholics and the Vatican.
The government’s tactics go beyond detention. Bishops and priests are closely watched, questioned, and pressured to join the state-sanctioned church. In some cases, churches have been demolished for not following official orders. For example, in 2022, authorities tore down a Catholic church in Shijiazhuang after Bishop Dong Baolu refused to join the CCPA. These actions disrupt church life and send a clear message: loyalty to the party comes first.
Beijing Closes the Door to Foreign Missionaries
On May 1, 2025, China enacted new rules that prevent foreigners from preaching, sharing Christian beliefs, or starting religious groups without government permission. These changes are part of a wider effort to block outside influences. As a result, missionary work is now banned, and international Christian groups find it almost impossible to operate. Reports on X have described the move as the “formal end” of missionary activity in China.
These rules build on earlier measures. Since 2022, online preaching has required a license, and any religious meetings in unregistered locations are banned. The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw three American Christian activists deported for protesting in Tiananmen Square, making the government’s intolerance clear. Today, foreigners caught sharing their faith can be fined, deported, or even jailed. Chinese citizens helping foreigners face serious punishment as well.
The CCP’s focus on blocking foreign influence comes from a long history of distrust, dating back to the 19th-century “century of humiliation” when Western powers and missionaries were present in China. The party often links Christianity to Western imperialism, using this view to justify its actions against both Chinese and foreign believers.
Tighter Control Over House Churches
Beyond Catholics and foreigners, Protestant house churches are also under attack. These churches operate outside official channels. In 2019, the government raided hundreds of these congregations, including well-known groups like Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu and Zion Church in Beijing. Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain received a nine-year prison sentence for “subversion of state power,” a charge frequently used against religious leaders. Members of house churches often face harassment, large fines, and detention in so-called “transformation facilities,” where they are pressured to give up their faith.
The policy of sinicization has further restricted religious practice. Churches must display portraits of Xi Jinping, with some replacing religious images with state propaganda. Children under 18 cannot receive religious education, and schools promote atheism through youth programs connected to the party. In 2022, more churches were demolished in several provinces for not following registration laws. The government’s aim, as stated by party leader Wang Yang, is to unite religious followers behind the CCP and support its vision for the country.
How the World Sees China’s Crackdown
International groups have voiced strong concern over China’s actions. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has again listed China as a “country of particular concern” for violations of religious rights. Organizations like Freedom House and China Aid continue to document the CCP’s use of surveillance and harsh measures against religious groups.
Despite growing criticism, the official response from the Vatican has stayed muted, drawing attention from Catholics and human rights advocates worldwide. Many hope for more visible support for religious freedom and the safety of China’s faithful. Global attention remains focused on China as believers face rising pressure and the basic right to worship is increasingly restricted.
