Changes

By 2030, China's total Christian population, including Catholics, would exceed 247 million, placing it above Mexico, Brazil and the United States as the largest Christian congregation in the world, he predicted.

By 2030, China's total Christian population, including Catholics, would exceed 247 million, placing it above Mexico, Brazil and the United States as the largest Christian congregation in the world, he predicted.

"[[Mao Zedong|Mao]] thought he could eliminate [[religion]]. He thought he had accomplished this," Prof Yang said. "It's ironic – they didn't. They actually failed completely."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years]</ref>}}

"[[Mao Zedong|Mao]] thought he could eliminate [[religion]]. He thought he had accomplished this," Prof Yang said. "It's ironic – they didn't. They actually failed completely."<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years]</ref>}}

''The Telegraph'' reported on December 19, 2012:

''The Telegraph'' reported on December 19, 2012:

An official from the propaganda department of the State Council said they were unable to immediately comment on whether the document was genuine. But posts on the websites of several Chinese universities appear to confirm the leaked document's existence....

An official from the propaganda department of the State Council said they were unable to immediately comment on whether the document was genuine. But posts on the websites of several Chinese universities appear to confirm the leaked document's existence....

Yet despite government controls, the number of Christians in China has rocketed since the 1980s with many worshipping in illegal "house churches" which are subject to sporadic crackdowns. Some estimates suggest there are now as many as 130 million practicing Christians in China.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9756093/Chinese-universities-urged-to-fight-back-against-foreign-religion.html Chinese universities urged to fight back against foreign religion], ''The Telegraph'', 2012</ref>}}

Yet despite government controls, the number of Christians in China has rocketed since the 1980s with many worshipping in illegal "house churches" which are subject to sporadic crackdowns. Some estimates suggest there are now as many as 130 million practicing Christians in China.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9756093/Chinese-universities-urged-to-fight-back-against-foreign-religion.html Chinese universities urged to fight back against foreign religion], ''The Telegraph'', 2012</ref>}}

A January 2011 news article entitled ''Third Church' China's New Face of Christianity'' indicated:

A January 2011 news article entitled ''Third Church' China's New Face of Christianity'' indicated: