The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has officially banned foreign missionaries from preaching, founding religious organizations, or engaging in faith-based outreach inside the country. The sweeping restrictions, set to take effect May 1, are being justified by the regime under the guise of “national security” — a common excuse used to suppress freedom and dissent.
Under the new rules, non-Chinese citizens will no longer be allowed to preach without approval from the CCP-controlled religious apparatus. Additionally, foreigners will be barred from establishing religious schools, publishing or distributing faith-based materials, or even accepting donations for religious work. They are also prohibited from recruiting Chinese citizens — essentially criminalizing the core mission of spreading the Gospel.
The only loophole? Foreign preachers must be officially invited by one of the state-run religious bodies, such as the tightly monitored Three-Self Patriotic Movement or the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Even then, all sermons must be pre-approved by government censors, removing any genuine message of faith and replacing it with state-approved propaganda.
This crackdown is just the latest move in President Xi Jinping’s broader campaign to “Sinicize” religion — in other words, to reshape faith to serve Communist Party goals. The regime has long feared Christianity’s growing influence, particularly among young people and intellectuals, and is determined to neutralize what it sees as a threat to totalitarian control.
Independent house churches have been hit hardest. Branded by the regime as “extremist” or “cult-like,” they’ve faced relentless persecution, including police raids, arrests, and the destruction of worship spaces. Surveillance of these underground believers is increasing, with China’s infamous tech-driven social control system being deployed to monitor and intimidate citizens of faith.
The CCP claims religious freedom exists in China, but only if it serves the Party’s interests. True freedom — to worship, to preach, to gather, and to evangelize — is being strangled by red tape and brute force. And with foreign engagement now effectively outlawed, Christian groups trying to offer hope and truth within China’s borders are being cut off.
Faith-based organizations like Bibles for China may be able to continue limited work under the regime’s watchful eye, but any meaningful missionary work will become nearly impossible. American citizens involved in ministry should be on high alert, as their presence could now be considered a violation of Chinese law.
Religious freedom advocates in the United States are calling for action. Arielle Del Turco of the Family Research Council warned that this policy will damage U.S.-China relations and urged American leaders to publicly denounce the CCP’s crackdown. She emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the situation and defending the fundamental human right of religious liberty.
This is a sobering reminder of what happens when a godless regime controls every aspect of life. As the Chinese government continues to tighten its grip, believers around the world must speak out and stand in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
