China’s Sinicization of Christianity: A New Battle for Religious Freedom

A recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reveals a disturbing new phase in China’s crackdown on Christianity. The Chinese government has ordered the removal of religious symbols, including crosses from churches, and the replacement of images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary with portraits of President Xi Jinping. This campaign is part of a broader initiative known as “sinicization,” which seeks to align religious practices with the Communist Party’s (CCP) ideology. The report highlights the forced display of CCP slogans at church entrances, censorship of religious texts, and the use of government-approved religious materials in sermons—effectively reducing Christian teachings to state propaganda.

Sinicization is not limited to Christianity; it affects all five of China’s recognized religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Catholicism. By embedding CCP ideology into every aspect of religious life, the government is tightening its grip on worshippers and erasing any religious expression that does not conform to Party control. Millions of Christians, particularly Catholics and Protestants, have resisted this pressure by practicing their faith underground. These believers reject the authority of CCP-backed clergy and remain loyal to the Vatican, an allegiance that places them in direct conflict with Chinese law, which categorizes such independent worship as a “cult.” This policy has led to widespread persecution, including arrests, imprisonment, and the forced disappearance of underground religious leaders.

The 2018 Vatican-China agreement, intended to foster cooperation on the appointment of bishops, has failed to protect the autonomy of the Church. Despite the accord, the Chinese government has unilaterally installed bishops loyal to the CCP, bypassing Vatican consultation. As religious freedoms in China erode further under sinicization, tens of millions of underground Christians face increasing persecution. This report underscores the mounting global concern for China’s religious minorities and the growing tension between maintaining faith and surviving under a regime intent on complete ideological control.

Source: https://premierchristian.news/