Changes

*Fu, Eva (June 21, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/pompeo-condemns-atrocities-in-china-vows-to-safeguard-international-religious-rights_2973712.html Pompeo Condemns Atrocities in China, Vows to Safeguard International Religious Freedom]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved June 22, 2019.</ref> including those of Christians.<ref>Bohon, Steve (December 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30932-church-in-china-under-intense-attack-by-communist-government Church in China Under Intense Attack by Communist Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Kuo, Lily (January 13, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> While thousands of state-sanctioned churches exist in China, the process for obtaining a permit for a new church is cumbersome, and to be approved, clergy must also take exams over communist ideology.<ref name=StatedeptChina>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108404.htm]</ref> There is a shortage of Chinese-born ministers who would pass state qualification, and Chinese citizens are forbidden by law to worship at churches with foreign-born pastors.<ref name=StatedeptChina /> For all of the above reasons, the vast majority of Christians in China opt to worship at underground "home churches." Leaders and members of these churches face fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of church property.<ref name=VM>[http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm Persecution Of Christians Around The World]</ref> In some extreme cases, an underground church is labeled a cult, which the CCP uses to justify some of the worst of its persecution, including torture and forced labor.<ref>[http://www.online2.church123.com/attach.asp?clientURN=christiansolidarityworldwide2&attachFileName=52d82f5db78a2871ae131128a54455ac.attach&attachOriginalFileName=CSW_Briefing_China_Liu_Statement.pdf Torture testimony of Liu Xianzhi]</ref>

*Fu, Eva (June 21, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/pompeo-condemns-atrocities-in-china-vows-to-safeguard-international-religious-rights_2973712.html Pompeo Condemns Atrocities in China, Vows to Safeguard International Religious Freedom]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved June 22, 2019.</ref> including those of Christians.<ref>Bohon, Steve (December 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30932-church-in-china-under-intense-attack-by-communist-government Church in China Under Intense Attack by Communist Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Kuo, Lily (January 13, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> While thousands of state-sanctioned churches exist in China, the process for obtaining a permit for a new church is cumbersome, and to be approved, clergy must also take exams over communist ideology.<ref name=StatedeptChina>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108404.htm]</ref> There is a shortage of Chinese-born ministers who would pass state qualification, and Chinese citizens are forbidden by law to worship at churches with foreign-born pastors.<ref name=StatedeptChina /> For all of the above reasons, the vast majority of Christians in China opt to worship at underground "home churches." Leaders and members of these churches face fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of church property.<ref name=VM>[http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm Persecution Of Christians Around The World]</ref> In some extreme cases, an underground church is labeled a cult, which the CCP uses to justify some of the worst of its persecution, including torture and forced labor.<ref>[http://www.online2.church123.com/attach.asp?clientURN=christiansolidarityworldwide2&attachFileName=52d82f5db78a2871ae131128a54455ac.attach&attachOriginalFileName=CSW_Briefing_China_Liu_Statement.pdf Torture testimony of Liu Xianzhi]</ref>

The Chinese government forces all practicing religions in the country, including Christianity, to conform to the nation's communist ideology.<ref>Martel, Frances (September 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/07/government-christian-leader-theology-shall-reflect-chinese-culture/ Government Christian Leader: ‘Theology Shall Reflect Chinese Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Kindergartners are forced to sign an atheist manifesto.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (February 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/02/22/chinese-kindergartners-forced-to-sign-atheist-manifesto/ Chinese Kindergartners Forced to Sign Atheist Manifesto]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 22, 2019.</ref>

The Chinese government forces all practicing religions in the country, including Christianity, to conform to the nation's communist ideology.<ref>Martel, Frances (September 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/07/government-christian-leader-theology-shall-reflect-chinese-culture/ Government Christian Leader: ‘Theology Shall Reflect Chinese Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Kindergartners are forced to sign an atheist manifesto.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (February 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/02/22/chinese-kindergartners-forced-to-sign-atheist-manifesto/ Chinese Kindergartners Forced to Sign Atheist Manifesto]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 22, 2019.</ref> The Chinese government acted to crack down on Christians evangelizing their children.<ref>Cimmino, Jeffrey (September 3, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/china-cracking-down-on-teaching-religion-to-children China cracking down on teaching religion to children]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 3, 2019.</ref>

Chinese president [[Xi Jinping]] is very opposed to Christianity.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (April 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/04/22/china-aid-president-xi-jinping-views-christian-churches-severe-national-security-threat/ China Aid: President Xi Jinping Views Christian Churches as ‘Severe National Security Threat’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2018.</ref> In 2017, after Islamic extremists killed two Chinese Christian missionaries, rather than protect Christians, the Chinese government enacted further persecutions against Christianity.<ref>[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2017/september/china-ramps-up-christian-persecution-after-two-missionaries-are-murdered China Ramps Up Christian Persecution After Two Missionaries Are Murdered]. ''CBN News''. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> That same year, the Chinese government made it illegal for Christian parents to take their children to church.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 12, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/12/chinese-govt-bans-christian-children-from-attending-church-vows-punishment-to-offenders/ Chinese Gov’t Bans Christian Children from Attending Church, Vows Punishment to Offenders]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref><ref>Hodges, Mark (September 11, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chinese-govt-bans-kids-from-attending-church-service Chinese gov’t bans kids from attending church services]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref><ref>Haverluck, Michael F. (September 11, 2017). [https://www.onenewsnow.com/persecution/2017/09/11/china-children-not-allowed-at-church China: Children not allowed at church]. ''OneNewsNow''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Also in 2017, it was reported that in China's Jiangxi province, the government had a plan of denying important poverty relief packages to Christians unless they replaced images of Jesus they had with images of President Jinping.<ref>Martel, Frances (November 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/11/14/china-urges-christian-peasants-replace-jesus-images-xi-jinping/ China Urges Rural Christians to Replace Jesus Images with Xi Jinping]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 14, 2017.</ref> In April 2018, the Chinese government banned online sales of Bibles, among other actions against Christians.<ref>Multiple references:

Chinese president [[Xi Jinping]] is very opposed to Christianity.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (April 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/04/22/china-aid-president-xi-jinping-views-christian-churches-severe-national-security-threat/ China Aid: President Xi Jinping Views Christian Churches as ‘Severe National Security Threat’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2018.</ref> In 2017, after Islamic extremists killed two Chinese Christian missionaries, rather than protect Christians, the Chinese government enacted further persecutions against Christianity.<ref>[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2017/september/china-ramps-up-christian-persecution-after-two-missionaries-are-murdered China Ramps Up Christian Persecution After Two Missionaries Are Murdered]. ''CBN News''. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> That same year, the Chinese government made it illegal for Christian parents to take their children to church.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 12, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/12/chinese-govt-bans-christian-children-from-attending-church-vows-punishment-to-offenders/ Chinese Gov’t Bans Christian Children from Attending Church, Vows Punishment to Offenders]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref><ref>Hodges, Mark (September 11, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chinese-govt-bans-kids-from-attending-church-service Chinese gov’t bans kids from attending church services]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref><ref>Haverluck, Michael F. (September 11, 2017). [https://www.onenewsnow.com/persecution/2017/09/11/china-children-not-allowed-at-church China: Children not allowed at church]. ''OneNewsNow''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Also in 2017, it was reported that in China's Jiangxi province, the government had a plan of denying important poverty relief packages to Christians unless they replaced images of Jesus they had with images of President Jinping.<ref>Martel, Frances (November 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/11/14/china-urges-christian-peasants-replace-jesus-images-xi-jinping/ China Urges Rural Christians to Replace Jesus Images with Xi Jinping]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 14, 2017.</ref> In April 2018, the Chinese government banned online sales of Bibles, among other actions against Christians.<ref>Multiple references: