Repression of religion in China seen as worst since 1970s

December 30, 2015

Repression of religious-freedom rights in China is now higher than at any time since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, according to a report published by the UCA News agency.

In the eastern province of Zhejiang, 1,000 churches either were demolished or had crosses removed by Christmas 2015, up from 500 the year before, according to the report.

On December 28, an additional cross was removed from a prominent Protestant church in Wenzhou, a city of 9.1 million in Zhejiang, Radio Free Asia reported.

Tibetan Buddhists and Uyghur Muslims have also experienced repression under the regime of Xi Jinping, who assumed power in 2012 when he became general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

 

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Further information:

• Religious rights in China deteriorate further in 2015 (UCA News)
• Demolition Gang Takes Down Cross, Seals Off Church in China's Zhejiang (Radio Free Asia)