China

Key Facts:

Leader:
President Hu Jintao
Population:
1.3 billion (6% Christian)
Majority Religion:
Traditional Chinese beliefs
Type of Government:
Communist state

Official churches enjoy a degree of freedom, but many Christians belong to unregistered house churches. They have faced several crackdowns in the run up to the 2008 Olympics. One police raid saw 270 house church pastors handcuffed in pairs and taken away for questioning as they met for prayer and Bible study. Many foreign missionaries have also been deported. In many regions it remains difficult for many Christians to practise their faith. Evangelism of under 18s is against the law.

Prayer

• Pray that the global attention accompanying the Olympic Games will assist the witness of the Church.
• Praise God for Open Doors’ ministry of providing Bibles and Christian literature, with a special focus on young people; pray for great fruit as a result.
• Pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters that they will remain strong, full of faith and hope.