(China) The Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of various provinces in China have been asked to hold commemorative events for the 78th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan. Officially registered churches and theological institutions were requested to participate as well. The goal is that these commemorative activities would stimulate patriotic enthusiasm among Chinese Christians within a state-controlled religious framework.
Official request
The offices of the official China Christian Council (CCC) and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) issued documents instructing local churches to organize services on September 3rd. Churches would gather and remember the 78th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. Both the national CCC and TPSM asked churches to submit information about the relevant activities (texts, videos, and pictures) to their Media Ministry Department by September 10th.
The documents had a brief note requesting for the document to be passed along to the seminaries (bible schools).
Local churches commemorate
Christian churches in Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Qingpu District of Shanghai City, and Hangzhou City have commemorated the anniversary in various ways, such as discussions, prayer meetings, and flag-raising ceremonies.
Seminaries remember
The Jiangxi Bible School, Guizhou Bible School, Fujian Theological Seminary, and Guangdong Union Theological Seminary each held their commemorative activities.
State-controlled religion
The Sinicization of Christianity in China is a highly political movement. Local governments are eager to demonstrate their loyalty to Beijing’s ideology. The document issued by the “Two Associations” (CCC&TSPM) for Christianity, under government direction, is essentially part of a coercive campaign. Sinicization emphasizes that Christianity and its followers must adhere to China’s socialist system and show loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Patriotism
The Chinese government equates resistance to Japan with patriotism as a means to foster internal unity in China. Authorities impose increasingly politicized activities on churches and theological colleges, using the controversial sinicization policy to ruthlessly and systematically dismantle religious groups.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
