19 China

Persecution Type
  • Communist and post-Communist oppression (Very strong)
  • Dictatorial paranoia (Strong)
Christian population

96,700,000 (estimate)

Government

Communist party-led state

Main Religion

Agnosticism

Leader

President Xi Jinping

What does persecution look like in China?

The most overt persecution in China often takes place in regions where Buddhism or Islam are the majority religions—anyone who converts to Christianity is seen as a traitor to their ethnicity and family. These believers may be threatened or even harmed, all in an attempt to convince them to return to the family’s religion. 

However, persecution and discrimination are slowly spreading throughout most of China. The Chinese Communist Party’s goal is to make sure churches don’t fall out of line with official viewpoints. In the case of official churches, this means they are encouraged to praise and pledge allegiance to the Communist Party and its ideology. Churches that claim Christ as King are viewed with suspicion, especially since Christianity is seen as a primarily Western influence. It’s always been true that house churches exist in a legal gray area, where they are unregistered and technically not allowed, but largely tolerated. New regulations continue to chip away at this status quo. Children under 18 continue to be forbidden from attending church. Most churches are monitored and can be shut down without warning. 

Digital persecution also impacts the church in China. Restrictions passed in 2018 as part of a wide-ranging law on religion have made it harder for Christians to use the Internet or social media to pursue their faith. The government’s growing authoritarianism means that every Chinese citizen can be sure that none of their digital footprint is out of the state’s view. Christian chat groups are routinely shut down, and the government’s sophisticated surveillance system has been rolled out to target minority groups in some regions. Observers fear this technology will increasingly be used to target Christians, especially those in house churches. 

What changed this year?

Over the last five years, the situation in China has slowly and steadily deteriorated, and the 2024 World Watch List reporting period was no exception. While violence against believers remained rare, church closures and raids continue to happen, with pressure across all parts of life steadily rising. This year, the government passed regulations requiring churches to post signs that read, “Love the Communist Party; Love the country; Love the religion.” 

While this law only impacts state-sanctioned churches and implementation seems uneven, house church leaders are increasingly worried about crackdowns. In one province, citizens were required to use a state-controlled smartphone app to register before they attended religious services. Parents are increasingly concerned about raising their children in the faith, as attending church is illegal for anyone under 18. And the ongoing digital pressure continues to increase as China exerts its control over citizens’ lives. 

How can I pray?

  • As China continues to tighten its grip on religious freedom this year, pray for wisdom for Christians to know how they should continue to honor and worship God under changing circumstances.
  • Pray for young people who are technically not allowed to attend church. Pray that God would strengthen their faith and give them—and their parents—courage.
  • Ask God to strengthen and encourage church leaders who are pressured and monitored.

More Christians need help than ever before.

As we close out 2023, the number of persecuted Christians is higher than ever. With greater persecution comes greater need. Your year-end gift will help – including providing more Bibles, more discipleship, and more relief aid.

Our year-end goal is $500,000 to help our persecuted family. Will you prayerfully give a gift today?

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds