The Wolf in Sheep’s Skin: The Discrepancy between the Promises of Religious Freedom in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Actual Practices in Mainland China

This article analyzes how the Chinese authorities guarantee the freedom of religion and belief in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, yet simultaneously violate it under Xi Jinping’s leadership. The religious demography and historical background of politics and religion offer reasons for the Chinese Communist Party to hold a negative perception of religion, including the five official religions and other beliefs. It also explains the Party’s motivations for overseeing and restricting the religious freedom of all individuals and groups. The Constitution of China states its respect for the freedom of religion and belief for all individuals and groups. However, some terms in the Constitution are ambiguous and may indicate certain implications. In practice, the Chinese authorities do not respect their Constitution and have established the State Administration for Religious Affairs to monitor all religious groups. Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, various regulations, measures, and policies reveal that the Party-state actively implements its anti-religion agenda. The illustrated incidents demonstrate that the religious freedom of minorities, such as Catholics, Protestants, Hui and Uyghur Muslims, and Tibetan Buddhists, is especially violated. Spiritual groups are regarded as “evil cults” and are arrested under the Criminal Law. The atheist and authoritarian state considers that all these religious groups may use their religion to threaten the stability of China.