In China the leaders of Christian house churches are regarded as “unstable social elements” and creators of disharmony by the authorities. The government permits the practice of Christianity so long as it takes place under the auspices of the state-controlled churches, but their activities are highly restricted. Churches that refuse to register with the authorities (“house churches”) are illegal and subject to harassment: their buildings may be closed and their pastors arrested and imprisoned.

Christian literature can be  subject to restrictions

Religious belief is said to be incompatible with Communist party membership, which is required for occupants of almost all highlevel positions. Foreign nationals are not allowed to engage in evangelism, or in any other Christian ministry among the Chinese except by invitation of a registered organisation. Bibles may be printed in China, but religious material from abroad may not be distributed without its being officially approved.

Christianity has a long history in China. It was first introduced no later than the sixth century, probably by Orthodox Christians. Catholics arrived in the thirteenth century, and Protestant missionaries from 1807. Under their influence the number of Christians increased rapidly, leading to waves of persecution.

All missionaries were expelled in 1949, and the Communist government sought to bring organised Christianity under state control. But during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) Christian activity was forced underground, and the house church movement was born. After restrictions were somewhat relaxed in the late 1970s the churches began to grow rapidly. Reliable figures on the number of Christians in China today are not available, but recent government estimates range from around 54 million to 130 million, in a total population of over 1.3 billion.