Hymns and music should be “de-Westernized” and incorporate “red” elements, participants at a training seminar in Xiamen were told.
by Zhang Chunhua


Having “Sinicized” their places of worship, education, Bible study, and even the Bible itself what more can Chinese Christians “Sinicize”? The answer is—music.
“Bitter Winter” regularly discusses “Sinicization.” Our readers know that it is not about adapting religion to Chinese culture: otherwise, a plan for “Sinicizing Taoism,” which exists, would not make sense. It is about adapting religion to the CCP’s ideology.
While this is indeed the key to understanding “Sinicization,” it is also true that it includes a struggle to eliminate all the features of religions that the CCP considers “foreign.” The domes and minarets of mosques are razed since “Sinicization” is also intended as “de-Arabization.” For Christians, “Sinicization” includes “de-Westernization.” Cutting ties with the time of the missionaries was done long ago, yet the CCP still fastidiously looks for anything that can still be “de-Westernized.”
Now, it’s music. This is not totally new. Old beloved hymns have been long since abandoned. It is not rare to see “red” songs performed in Christian churches or outside of them, in the processions preceding the Sunday services. However, Christians are now being told that something much more comprehensive and radical is needed.
Last month, a “National Sacred Music Sinicization Training Seminar” organized by the government-controlled Two National Christian Councils concluded in Xiamen, Fujian.


Over sixty pastoral workers, theological teachers, and experts from across China gathered to discuss the “Sinicization” of Christian sacred music. Pastor Shan Weixiang, Vice Chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee, delivered the opening speech, followed by a welcome address from Pastor Yue Qinghua, Vice President of the China Christian Association.


Participants were told that “Sinicizing” Christian music is a key target of the “Second five-year plan for the Sinicization of Christianity.” They should be prepared to surrender even more old hymns (although, perhaps to prevent reactions, they were told that a few will be kept) and adapt both traditional Chinese songs and “red” songs. Even Christian music as Chinese believers have known it for centuries seems to be about to disappear.