Country Profile - China
Population: 1.3 billion
Capital: Beijing
Government Type: Communist state
Religion: Non-religious 40%; Chinese Universalists 30%; Christian 8.5%; Buddhist 8.5%; Atheist 8%
Economic boom
China's rich cultural heritage stretches back thousands of years -- but came to a grinding halt for more than 20 years under Communism.
The People's Republic of China was formed in 1949 under Chairman Mao Zedong, whose repressive regime paralysed the nation.
His purge of anything or anyone that did not conform to his communist vision cost the lives of tens of millions of Chinese people.
Today, China has moved from a narrow centralised economy to a free market economy which is the fastest-growing on the planet.
But its social reform has not kept pace with economic changes: its regime maintains strict control over all aspects of society.
A measure of its engagement with the rest of the world is the fact that Beijing is to host the 2008 Olympic games. Campaigners protest that its human rights record does not merit this honour.
Dissident voices
Although the constitution provides for religious freedom, China's government has consistently tried to control religious practice.
All religious groups are required to register. Those who refuse are regarded as 'illegal' and sometimes forced underground.
State-sanctioned churches are closely monitored. 'Illegal' groups are frequently branded 'evil cults', which makes it easier to prosecute them; their members risk torture, imprisonment and death.
Under the Chinese system of 're-education through labour', hundreds of thousands of dissidents are detained each year in prison camps, often without trial. Many are held for their religious views.
Empty rhetoric
In an attempt to silence its international critics, China has in recent years passed laws purporting to underline its commitment to religious freedom.
Such laws are, however, contradicted by official secret documents leaked to the international media. These speak of the regime's intention to 'boost Marxist atheism research, propaganda, and education' and to 'ban all uncivilised conduct in spreading superstitions' -- a description often used of house church activity.
Other leaked documents have given notice of a crackdown on house churches. Mass detentions of Christians across several provinces prove this diktat is being implemented.
Nor has there been any respite from harassment for prominent individuals.
In January 2007, the Chinese authorities provoked international uproar when they seized Shuang Shuying, the elderly mother of house church activist Hua Huiqi.
The pair were arrested as they walked through the Olympic village in Beijing. Both were beaten and later convicted on disputed charges.
Hua Huiqi was jailed for six months: his mother, who is in frail health, was sentenced to two years.
Despite all this, the church in China is growing rapidly.
Release projects
Release's projects in China include:
- Printing and distributing a book about Christian marriage.
Sources: BBC; International Christian Concern; Operation World; Release International; The World Factbook 2007; World Christian Database.