Even worse than the draft version, the Measures will convert places of worship into branches of the CCP propaganda system. “Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation.
Bitter Winter publishes the translation of the August 11 five-year CCP legal blueprint. In one word, more Party control on economy and society.
May 23 marked the 70th anniversary of the Seventeen Point Agreement China compelled Tibetans to sign in 1951. The CCP insists it should control reincarnations.
Recently issued guidelines across China demand to intensify crackdowns on “foreign religious infiltration,” mainly targeting US-affiliated places of worship.
Many Church of Almighty God members are left broke after police raid their homes and seize their savings, claiming that they are hiding the money for the Church.
In the name of suppressing “foreign religious infiltration,” the Chinese authorities close down churches suspected of ties with abroad, harass believers.
The CCP is stepping up efforts to inspect churches with foreign ties nationwide, registering and surveilling believers to later implement coordinated crackdowns.
They are not allowed to have their places of worship or join Chinese. Besides, they have been placed under surveillance and are targeted in secret investigations.
Similar to the infamous national reputation system, used for mass surveillance and control of citizens, churches face closure for “defying” government regulations.
Under the regime’s harsh crackdown on oversees religious groups active in China, countless churchgoers forced to give up faith or even end up losing freedom.