On the topic of religion in China, let's talk more about it. Recently, President Xi Jinping has tightened control and sought to increase domestic/Chinese influence around the world. What better way (besides artificial islands and African "colonies") than to influence religion. In China, the pastors and leaders for churches and other religions must be approved by the government and they must also promise to support the country before religion. They must adhere to the Communist Party's guidelines. It's all part of "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics".
Recently, the government has set out ways to "Sinicize" these religions and introduce traditional elements whenever possible, whether they be the architecture of the buildings. And even that's not enough, because they will find ways to shut down the place. There may be "building violations" or some other broken code.
So does that mean that there really is freedom of religion as guaranteed by the constitution?. No. Only state-approved religions can stay and they are severely checked by the government. These foreign religions like Christianity are scrutinized by the government because they are not "Chinese" and authentic, and are just outside ifleunces. I mean, they're not wrong. It's not weird that they feel this way about "external influences".
This has led to these underground churches, where worshippers are holding secret meetings in homes instead of in churches to prevent the government from reaching in.
Yet, Christianity continues to be a growing religion as more people are becoming Christian, despite all of the cross removings from roofs and whatnot. Some people believe that a third of Chinese will become Christian within a reasonable amount of time.
https://www.businessinsider.com/new-religious-breakdown-in-china-14
https://thediplomat.com/2018/06/the-ccps-plan-to-sinicize-religions/
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