Religious freedom in China is a complex and often debated topic. Officially, the Chinese Constitution guarantees freedom of belief, but in practice, the government imposes various restrictions on the exercise of religion. State supervision over religious practices and the repression of certain groups are aspects that raise concerns about the limits of this freedom in the country.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which governs China, maintains strict control over religions, requiring all religious activities to be registered and supervised by the State. Some religions are officially recognized and regulated, while others face persecution, leading to international criticism and reports of human rights violations.
We also recommend reading:
Table of Content
What does the Chinese Constitution say about Religious Freedom
The Constitution of China, in its article 36, states that citizens have freedom of religious belief. However, this freedom comes with restrictions. The government prohibits any religious activity that "disturbs public order," "harms national unity," or involves "foreign influence."
The five religions officially recognized by the State are:
- Buddhism
- Taoism
- Islamism
- Protestant Christianity
- Catholic Christianity
These religions must operate under specific state organs, such as the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement for Protestants. The Vatican, for example, has no control over the Catholic Church in China, as the government appoints bishops.
The Religious Freedom in China is a Joke
If you are not part of the 5 religions mentioned earlier, you do not have religious freedom in China. Let's take Jehovah's Witnesses as an example, a Christian religion based on the Bible. Since the organization is not among the 5 religions officially recognized by the State, its activities are considered illegal, and its members may be subject to surveillance, arrest, and repression.
Unlike countries where the Jehovah's Witnesses operate freely, in China they are seen as an illegal organization. The Chinese government suppresses their activities, just as it does with other unregistered religious movements, such as domestic Protestant churches and Falun Gong.
Although the Chinese Constitution mentions religious freedom, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) insists that all religions operate under state supervision agencies, something that Jehovah's Witnesses refuse, as their faith does not allow involvement with politics or other religious organizations.
How Unrecognized Religions Operate in China?
Due to the official ban, Jehovah's Witnesses in China must practice their faith discreetly and secretly. Although they are individuals who encourage total obedience to the government laws of their country, they obey God before any authority (Acts 5:29).
Meetings occur secretly in small groups, usually in private homes, and the door-to-door preaching, which is a hallmark of the religion, is conducted very discreetly to avoid reprisals.
In addition, the followers take strict precautions to avoid detection by the authorities:
- They do not use fixed locations for meetings, alternating the gatherings between different residences.
- They do not have temples or Kingdom Halls, like in other countries.
- They avoid distributing printed publications and, when possible, share religious materials digitally in a confidential manner.
Digital surveillance is also a challenge. With the high level of monitoring in China, the Jehovah's Witnesses avoid religious discussions on apps like WeChat, as the government can track messages and identify participants.
Many members of the religion have been imprisoned for participating in religious meetings or for preaching. There are documented cases of Jehovah's Witnesses being sentenced to years in prison simply for practicing their faith.
For example, in 2019, a Chinese court sentenced several believers to prison terms of up to three years under the charge of "using a religious organization to undermine the law."
Many members face difficulties at work or school because of their faith. In some cases, families are pressured to renounce their Jehovah's Witness relatives, and employers may be coerced into firing employees who belong to the group.
Restrictions and State Control over Religion
Even state-recognized religions face restrictions. Churches and temples must follow guidelines from the Communist Party, and independent religious activities are prohibited. This has led to the closure of house churches, the destruction of Buddhist temples, and even the imprisonment of religious leaders.
Among the most persecuted religious groups are:
- Uyghur Muslims: They face intense surveillance, mass detentions, and re-education campaigns in Xinjiang.
- Unregistered Christians: Underground churches are often closed down, and their members are persecuted.
- Falun Gong: Spiritual movement banned and severely repressed since 1999.
Additionally, there are reports of the destruction of religious symbols, such as crosses removed from churches and the prohibition of public religious celebrations without permission.
Religious Freedom in China from an International Perspective
Religious repression in China is the target of criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments. The United States and the European Union frequently condemn the persecution of Uighurs and the repression of underground Christian churches.
Despite the restrictions, religiosity continues to grow in China, especially among Christians. It is estimated that the number of Christian believers will surpass the number of Communist Party members in the coming years, which could create new challenges for the government.
Final Thoughts
Although the Chinese Constitution mentions religious freedom, in practice, this freedom is severely restricted by the State. Control over religions and the repression of certain groups show that the Chinese government views religion more as a political issue than as an individual right. The situation of religious freedom in China remains a sensitive topic and the subject of international debates.
Many communist, authoritarian, or socialist countries such as China, Russia, Eritrea, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, and the Emirates have severe restrictions against religions, often ignored by those who advocate for this style of government.
It is entirely understandable the prohibition of laws that ban public disturbance. But be aware that religious freedom ends when you are threatened with imprisonment simply for gathering to pray or speak or for maintaining political neutrality because of your faith.