How are Christians persecuted in China?
- 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 guidelines set by the Chinese Communist Party.
- Christian leaders are targeted in China and face intense surveillance. They may be imprisoned if their outlawed religious activities are discovered.
- 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.
“It has become unsafe for our brothers and sisters to connect in groups; otherwise, they might be questioned by the authorities anytime.”
Hollace*, Open Doors partner
Why are Christians persecuted in China?
- Christianity is seen as a potential enemy by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Persecution differs in different regions but, 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.
- China’s (now abandoned) one-child policy is notorious for having created a gender imbalance in the country. The consequences of this policy have created additional pressure on Chinese women. Female Christians from adjoining countries may be sold as brides to Chinese men and are also vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
Who is particularly vulnerable in China?
- Converts from minority ethnic groups with a Muslim or Buddhist background face the most severe violations of religious freedom. But Christians across China can be targeted by the authorities, sometimes seemingly at random.
“I was handcuffed and paraded through the streets. All this did not affect my faith in Christ, and after more than 20 years, up to this day, I am still holding on to my faith in Jesus.”
Fen*
What has changed in China in the past year?
- Regulations in China continue to be more tightly enforced, and the country has risen four spots on the World Watch List 2025.
- Unregistered churches were forcibly closed, and believers were forced to take their fellowships underground.
- Registered churches faced restrictions around the topics for their sermons. They are required to put up pro-Communist signs and are monitored.
- Church leaders anywhere in the country can be invited for ‘tea’ by the Chinese authorities, usually a thinly veiled excuse to check on Christian activities. More leaders of house churches are being convicted of fraud or other economic crimes, and face long and arduous prison sentences.
“Every morning at 4am or 5am, they gather in secret, raising their hands to pray.”
Li*, Open Doors partner
How can I help Christians in China?
Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in China. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
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.
*Names changed for security reasons
Dear God, we hear about China so often in world news. We know how important the country is, how much the church has grown, and how millions of our brothers and sisters live there. And yet, we also mourn because each year seems to bring new restrictions. Would You please intervene and make a way for Christians to worship freely? Would You help Your children stand strong and equip the next generation to continue serving You? We ask this in Your Son’s name, Amen.
