15China

Christianity in China can be perceived and treated differently depending on where it is practised –and is always at the whims of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In recent years, the government has aggressively tried to ensure all religious expression is brought into line with official Chinese Communist philosophy. Any church or church leader stepping beyond that can come under heavy restrictions.

Unregistered churches, even those once tolerated, are considered illegal and increasingly put under pressure, as authorities seek to enforce regulations and tighten policies. State-approved churches come under strong ideological pressure, and smaller congregations are often forced to merge to make a larger church that is easier for the state to control.

Children under 18 are forbidden from attending church. Officially registered churches are carefully regulated to make sure nothing they promote falls outside CCP guidelines. The surveillance and monitoring of all suspected church leaders are consequences of following Jesus in China.

In regions where Islam or Tibetan Buddhism are majority faiths, Christian converts can face additional scrutiny and pressure – and sometimes violence – from their families and communities.

Meet Hollace

“Some church leaders were still taken away for things like “drinking tea” (a common euphemism for casual questioning from officials). It has become unsafe for our brothers and sisters to connect in groups; otherwise, they might be questioned by the authorities anytime.”

Hollace (name changed), an Open Doors partner who lives in a Muslim-majority part of China.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Through local partners and churches, Open Doors supports believers in China with discipleship and persecution survival training, presence ministry, and relief response programmes. We help serve the younger generation of believers and provide contextualised Christian literature to those who have converted from Islam or Buddhism.