China has banned all foreign Christian missionaries in a sweeping crackdown that further restricts religious freedom as the Communist Party cements control over citizens’ spiritual lives.
Quick Takes
- New regulations effective May 1 prohibit all unsanctioned missionary activities by foreigners in China
- Non-Chinese citizens can no longer establish religious organizations, preach without authorization, or recruit Chinese citizens
- Government justifies restrictions as necessary for national security and protecting “normal religious activities”
- All Christian activities must occur within state-sanctioned churches that promote loyalty to the Communist Party
- Independent house churches face intensified persecution, labeled as “cult organizations”
Total Ban on Foreign Missionary Work
The Chinese Communist Party has implemented a comprehensive ban on foreign missionary activities through regulations that took effect May 1. These new rules, published by China’s National Religious Affairs Administration, consist of 38 articles severely restricting religious activities by non-Chinese citizens. Under the regulations, foreigners are prohibited from establishing religious organizations, preaching without authorization, founding religious schools, producing or selling religious materials, accepting donations, or recruiting Chinese citizens as followers.
Foreign religious clergy may only participate in religious activities if invited by Chinese state-run national religious organizations and approved by the United Front’s religious affairs administration. Even then, the content must not “interfere with China’s religious affairs,” effectively requiring adherence to Communist Party ideology. The regulations stipulate that only Chinese clergy should preside over religious activities for foreigners at government-approved venues.
State Control of Religious Expression
The restrictions represent a continuation of Beijing’s longstanding policy of maintaining tight control over religious affairs. China officially recognizes only five religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism – all of which must operate through government-operated institutions that promote loyalty to Communist Party leader Xi Jinping above religious teachings. Independent religious communities face intense scrutiny and persecution as the regime views them as threats to national security and party authority.
“China’s public security authorities intensified efforts to dismantle cult organizations in 2024,” reported the state-run Global Times. “They have worked to curb the growth and spread of cult organizations, mitigating potential threats to national political security and maintaining social stability.”
Technology-Driven Persecution
The Communist Party has significantly increased investment in surveillance technology and manpower to track religious activities. China’s Ministry of Public Security has expanded its capabilities to monitor citizens through facial recognition, internet tracking, and social credit systems. This comprehensive surveillance network tracks various aspects of citizens’ lives, including religious participation, to identify and control those deemed threats to state interests, particularly members of unregistered house churches.
Despite these challenges, Christianity continues to grow in China. Current estimates suggest there are 80 to 100 million Christians in the country, including both registered and unregistered communities. The formal ban on missionary activities represents a significant escalation in the Communist Party’s attempts to control the spread of Christianity, which has seen tremendous growth since 1949 despite ongoing persecution. China ranks 15th on the 2025 World Watch List for severe Christian persecution.
The “Sinicization” of Religion
The new regulations are part of a broader campaign to “sinicize” religion in China, ensuring all faith communities conform to Communist Party ideology. This process involves reinterpreting religious texts through a Communist lens and requiring religious leaders to promote party doctrine in their teachings. The goal is to eliminate foreign influence in religious affairs and ensure that religious groups serve as extensions of state power rather than independent moral authorities.
“Collective religious activities organized by foreigners in China are restricted to foreign participants only,” states China’s United Front, which oversees religious affairs. The policy effectively isolates foreign religious communities from Chinese citizens, preventing cultural and spiritual exchange that could challenge party ideology.
According to Breitbart News, the Communist Party is “intent on rooting out every pocket of independent religious thought” that might challenge its authority. The systematic suppression includes raids on house churches, arrests of religious leaders, and the replacement of religious symbols with images of party leaders in state-approved venues.
Impact on Religious Communities
The impact of these restrictions falls heavily on China’s vast network of underground house churches, which operate independently of state control. These communities, estimated to include tens of millions of believers, now face increased legal jeopardy as the government intensifies its crackdown on “cult organizations” – a term the regime uses to delegitimize independent religious groups. Church leaders report increased harassment, surveillance, and arrests as authorities implement the new regulations.
For foreign Christians living in or visiting China, the rules create significant barriers to religious practice and fellowship. Activities as simple as Bible studies or prayer meetings with Chinese citizens could potentially violate the new regulations if not officially sanctioned. This isolation of foreign and Chinese Christian communities serves the government’s goal of minimizing outside influence on domestic religious development while maintaining rigid control over citizen beliefs.
