The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted to a recent report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which details the Chinese government’s sinicisation policy and its role in suppressing religious groups. In a post on X, the Ministry emphasized that the USCIRF report underscores China’s systematic repression of religious communities.
The post stated, “USCIRF’s report highlights Beijing’s systematic repression of religious groups and confirms what we have long known: The People’s Republic of China has zero respect for human rights, both at home and abroad. Taiwan stands with like-minded nations in expressing concern over the state of religious freedom in China.”
In September, USCIRF released a report titled “Sinicisation of Religion: China’s Coercive Religious Policy.” It noted that under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has implemented a coercive sinicisation policy aimed at reshaping the country’s religious landscape to align with its political goals and Marxist ideology.
This policy seeks to fully subordinate religious groups to the CCP, affecting Buddhists, Christians (both Catholic and Protestant), Muslims, and Taoists. Key measures include appointing CCP loyalists to religious leadership positions, modifying places of worship to conform to CCP-approved designs, incorporating party propaganda into religious teachings, and criminalizing non-state-sanctioned religious activities. Such actions consistently violate internationally recognized rights to freedom of religion or belief.
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the US Department of State reclassify China as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to its systemic and severe violations of religious freedom. Earlier this year, the commission also examined US technology policy in the context of China’s religious repression and highlighted instances of Chinese political interference in the US Congress.
China’s Sinicisation of Religion policy is a state-driven initiative designed to reshape religious practices and beliefs to align with Chinese socialist values and national identity. This policy stresses that religions should adapt to Chinese culture and reflect the leadership of the CCP.
The government promotes the idea that religions should serve the state and contribute to social stability and national unity. Strategies include regulating religious organizations, promoting patriotic education among religious leaders, and integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements into religious practices. For example, Christian churches are encouraged to incorporate Chinese history and culture into their teachings, while Islamic practices are adjusted to align with state ideologies. The government also conducts regular inspections and training sessions for clergy to ensure compliance with these guidelines, as noted in the report.
