China

Persecution of Christians in China

China has been an officially communist country since 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) first rose to power. Christianity is viewed in communist China as a Western colonial religion; churches are therefore kept under close watch. Persecution is initiated at provincial or city level, usually with the knowledge of the communist authorities.

Many “house churches” (that is, unregistered churches) remain undisturbed, but some may be forcibly closed and their members arrested. China’s official Protestant church, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), is permitted to operate, but is closely monitored and regulated.

The authorities have imposed on churches a policy of Sinicisation – that is, making them more Chinese. While this can be useful in helping Chinese church leaders to apply Christian theology to their particular cultural context, there is also the risk that theology and the Gospel can be compromised, distorted or even abandoned. Some churches have been forced to replace Christian symbols with communist texts or photos.

China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs have passed many restrictions and regulations relating to religious activity. These include the stipulation that church leaders must be those “love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, [and] practice the core values of socialism”.

Increasing persecution in China

In January 2024, the CCP brought into force the Patriotic Education Law. Guidelines issued by the CCP on how religious groups should follow this law include the affirmation that “the state is greater than religion, and the state law is greater than religious rules”.

A new law enacted on 1 May 2025 prohibits foreign Christians from preaching or evangelising in China. The updated legislation restricts foreign Christians from sharing religious activities with Chinese Christians. Foreigners are also banned from bringing in religious literature, including Bibles, in an amount deemed to “exceed personal use quantities”. This is an extension of legislation brought into force in 2022, which bans foreigners from operating religious services online.

On 10 October 2025, 30 Christians were arrested in a crackdown on unofficial churches. Among them was Pastor Jin Mingri of Zion Church - a network of unofficial congregations – arrested on “suspicion of the illegal use of information networks”. Several other pastors working for Zion Church – a network of unofficial congregations – were also arrested in cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Shandong, Sichuan and Henan. In January 2026 it was reported that 18 leaders from Zion Church, including Pastor Jin, were facing a trial and possible three-year prison sentence.

How you can pray

• Pray for wisdom and clarity for Christians in China, that they will be able to navigate legal restrictions as they seek to faithfully serve the Lord. Ask God to protect those who are members of “house churches” from harassment, intimidation and censure. Ask the Lord that Christians in the official church will not be unable to profess their faith and proclaim the truth.