Koreans warned of China crackdown on religion
China is intensifying its crackdown on religious freedom. / AP
By Jung Min-ho
China has tightened regulations on religious freedom, cracking down on construction of large outdoor religious statues of all kinds.
With churches and other religious facilities being demolished in China amid the Communist Party's increasing restrictions on religion, the Korean government has warned citizens in China to take special care.
“China's government has been tightening regulations on religious groups and their activities,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on Facebook on May 23.
“Some Koreans have been caught violating the rules. We urge Koreans who are residing or visiting China to take special precautions.”
In a message to Christian missionaries, the ministry warned that China had banned missionaries from targeting Chinese.
The Constitution of China states that it protects freedom of religion ― but with a caveat: the government only protects “normal religious activities” that take place within government- sanctioned religious organizations and registered places of worship. In other words, there is no protection for religions the government does not like.
Chinese authorities increasingly see religions, especially Christianity, which is growing more quickly in China than in most parts of the world, as potential rivals and crack down on them.
Concerned about any organized movements outside their control, the Chinese government has harassed and detained church members. But in many places, house churches have been flourishing.
In an extra effort to limit the growing influence of Christianity, the government recently banned online retailers from selling the Bible, according to the New York Times. As a result, Christianity has become the only major religion whose holy text cannot be sold through normal commercial channels there.