Secret Document Released

24 November 2004

^{Official Government Seals
from the released document
Photos and documents from}^ChinaAid

On November 17, at a press conference in Washington , D.C. , China Aid Association released a secret document by top Chinese government and Communist Party departments. The internal government document, dated May 27, 2004 and addressed to various government departments throughout China , was issued to "boost Marxist atheism research, propaganda, and education." It urges an increase in Marxist propaganda, integrating it into all levels of society." One intention is to "ban all uncivilized conduct in spreading superstitions," causing people to be "educated, spirits enriched, their state of thought improved." Stronger involvement is urged in the media, with particular attention to the Internet as "a new tool to conduct Marxist atheism propaganda and education." While the document purports to support freedom of religion, it calls on officials to make a distinction between religion and "superstition." This designation has been frequently used against religious beliefs which do not support the government's Marxist position. This document helps to explain an increase in government suppression of house churches, the Internet and Christian literature in recent months.

A copy of the original document and an English translation are available (click here).

Pray for the underground house churches in China , as they face the oppression of government leaders. Pray for wisdom in ministering in the midst of this persecution. Pray for strength for those in prison for their faith in China .

For more information on persecution of the Church in China , click here. The Voice of the Martyrs has a number of resources on China available through our online catalog. This includes books, DVDs and VHS tapes at prices typically below what you would pay in bookstores (click here).

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.