In 1949, The People's Republic of China was formed under Chairman Mao Zedong. He quickly began purging the country of anything that did not coincide with his vision of a communist nation, resulting in millions of deaths. In 1950, China invaded Tibet, forcing its leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile in India and forcing the communist system on the people of Tibet. In recent years there has been a move to a free market economy. However, that freedom has not carried over into human rights and religious freedom and China’s human rights record remains one of the worst in the world.

Through a system of "re-education through labour,” the Chinese government detains hundreds of thousands each year in work camps without even a court hearing. There are more Christians in prison in China than any other country in the world. The only legal churches are those strictly controlled by the government of China. Those who do not wish to follow government policies on religious practice and beliefs must meet in homes and risk being labelled as "evil cults." Such a designation can result in closing down the church, confiscation of property, and charges against the leadership, often resulting in torture, imprisonment and death.

The unregistered Catholic Church which maintains allegiance to the Vatican has been subject to a concentrated effort to quash their growth. The Vatican has worked extensively to bring about the release of their clergy, only to have the government respond with yet more repression.

China made promise of improved human rights as the centrepiece of its bid for the August 2008 Olympics, reminding the world that Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution guarantees: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession, and of demonstration." Such promises raised hopes for the removal of remaining obstacles to the full expression of faith and an end to serious violations of religious freedom, especially since the Beijing Olympics drew intense international media attention to the country.  However, crackdowns on Christians and churches continued prior to the Games and in fact intensified in the months leading up to and following the event. Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, the president of Chinese House Church Alliance, was expelled from Beijing shortly before the Olympic Games and has been arrested and beaten by authorities several times in recent years. His wife and sons have also been beaten by officials.

Chinese Christians of the Uyghur minority also come under fire for their faith. On January 12, 2008 Mr. Alimujiang Yimiti was detained for preaching Christianity. On May 19, 2008, Pastor Lou Yuanqi, a prominent house church leader in the town of Qingshuihe, Xinjiang province was detained and later charged with "inciting separatism."

Despite the opposition, the church in China continues to grow; one recent estimate suggests that six percent of China's population is Christian.

• Pray for spiritual and physical strength for the thousands of Christians in prison for their faith in Christ.
• Pray for boldness for Christians in sharing the Gospel, despite the dangers that they face.
• Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.