No Christmas Eve Celebrations in China as Communist Government Imposes…
Christmas Eve was not celebrated in many parts of China this year as the Chinese Communist government imposed stricter measures on religious gatherings.
Beijing: Several parts of China didn’t celebrate Christmas Eve as the Chinese Communist government imposed curbs on religious gatherings, decorations and public festivities, The Epoch Times reported citing pastors, Christians and local residents. The report states that house churches in several parts of China said their Christmas services were interrupted by government agents.
Universities Caution Students Against Public Christmas Celebrations
Several Chinese universities advised their students not perform or participate in any Christmas celebrations. Local police in Shanghai detained several people who participated in street events. Commercial Christmas displays were restricted to designated areas.
Additionally, Christmas activities were also restricted in officially recognised venues.
According to Christians who are members of China’s underground house churches located in Shandong, Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces, local state security personnel warned them of holding Christmas Eve services, TET reported.
Pastor Huang from Qingdao in Shandong Province, said, after restriction on Christmas services, he and his family held a private meeting at home with a few close friends.
“All group gatherings are prohibited here,” Huang said.
“Shopping malls are also not permitted to display Christmas trees or decorations. There is no Christmas spirit at all this year, not only in Qingdao but also in other areas, as reported by fellow Christians from other locations,” he said, as quoted by TET.
Recognised Churches In China
As per the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Christian churches that are aligned with the CCP are officially recognised. Sermons and religious activities should strictly follow the rules laid down by the CCP’s National Religious Affairs Administration.
As per TET, these government-approved churches are not allowed to remove Christian symbols like images of Jesus. They are instructed to replace the symbols with portraits of CCP leaders while promoting communist ideology during sermons.
Why It Matters?
The Chinese government does not ban Christianity outright but has some of the strictest rules on organised religion in the world. These rules not only restrict the 1 percent of its Christian population from practising the religion but also apply to foreigners living in the country.
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