China Arrests Thousands for “Unorthodox” Faiths, US Report Says

The US State Department’s report on religious freedom accuses China of arresting thousands yearly for practicing religions seen as undermining the Communist Party, RFA reported yesterday.

The report claims China forces religious groups to promote Party ideology and targets critics even abroad. It details regulations requiring clergy to pledge allegiance to the Party and demanding religious centers comply with “Sinicization,” aligning with Communist ideology.

Accroding to the report, non-compliance can lead to arrest, torture, or indoctrination. The exact number arrested is unclear, with estimates ranging from thousands to over 10,000 in 2023.

China denies these claims, asserting it upholds religious freedom. This comes amid ongoing persecution of Muslim Uyghurs and attempts to eradicate Islamic expressions in the country.