Authorities Order Concert Cancellation

21 April 2004

The day before the chorus of the China National Orchestra was to perform at the Zhongshan Music Hall in central Beijing, authorities ordered the cancellation of the concert. The concert, conducted by Su Wenxing, was planned for April 17 and was to include the "Easter Chorus," based on Bible stories and written by a Chinese-born Canadian, Huang Anlun. While authorities refused to give any reason for the cancellation, an Associated Press report attributed their actions to the continued growth of Christianity in the country.

Su Wenxing became a Christian in 1996 and is the conductor of the Hebei Orchestra. Last year he led Handel's "Messiah" in two cities; concerts that were initially cancelled by authorities but later allowed to proceed.

DVD Set, Praise God for the continued growth of Christianity in China, despite the work of the authorities to stop it. Pray for continued outreach by Christians in the face of opposition and often prison and torture.

For more information on China, click here. A one-of-a-kind documentary of the persecution facing Christians in China is available from The Voice of the Martyrs, entitled "The Cross-Jesus in China." This four DVD set can be ordered through our online catalog.

China

Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)

Government type
Communist party-led state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: CIA World Factbook
Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.