China

China was declared the People’s Republic of China in 1949 by Chairman Mao Zedong, who quickly sought to purge society of anything that would point to religion, causing China’s people to endure great hardship ever since. China’s human rights record is one of the worst in the world. Its system of “re-education through labor” detains hundreds of thousands each year in work camps without even a court hearing.

Religion: Non-Religious/other 49.58%, Chinese 28.50%, Buddhist 8.38%, Christian 7.25%, Traditional ethnic 4.29%, and Muslim 2.0%

Ideological Influence: Communism

Head of State: Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as President at the 16th Communist Party Congress in November 2002.

Persecution: Through China’s “strike-hard” policy, more Christians are in prison or under detention than in any other country. The confiscation of church property and Bibles continues, even Bibles officially printed by the government. The house-church movement (illegally unregistered churches), which comprises approximately 90% of China’s Christians, endures unimaginable persecution yet stands on its commitment to preach the gospel no matter the cost. A major crackdown against unregistered church groups continued in 2004. Several hundred Christians were arrested during late spring and summer. A 28-year-old Christian teacher and a 34-year-old female evangelist were among Christians beaten to death while in police custody in 2004. Missionary Opportunity: Bibles are still in great demand; and the need for hymnals, tracts, apologetic materials, Bible study and other teaching materials is high.

(China Aid Association)
State security agents threatened Christian businessman, Tong Qimiao, while he was being hospitalized for a broken chest bone, caused by brutal torture. The agents showed Mr. Tong China Aid Association's news release on his case and forced him to write a statement that he was never beaten during interrogation. The officials of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce also showed up at the emergency room and threatened him that his license would be revoked unless he cooperated with the state security agents. Mr. Tong Qimiao was so seriously beaten by the state security agents on September 30th that his chest bone was broken. Reliable sources told CAA that Mr. Tong and his family would not give in and they would file a lawsuit against the agents. "We are shocked by what happened to Mr. Tong, and it is even more inhumane and barbarian that this happened in the hospital," said Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association. "This kind of case happens as the Chinese government is ambitiously developing the Western region. We urge the Chinese government to take exact steps to protect people's freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China."

Thank God for living in a part of the world that we don't often face physical danger for following him!
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin