Overview

• The Chinese government is removing crosses and religious images from churches, replacing them with pictures of Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong.
• The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports that China's 'sinicization' policy aims to subordinate religion to Communist Party ideals.
• State-sanctioned churches face strict regulations, while underground churches experience harassment, surveillance, and forced relocations.
• Children under 18 are prohibited from participating in religious activities, as part of efforts to enforce state atheism.
• International watchdogs and human rights groups call for sanctions against Chinese officials for religious freedom violations.