And even abroad, enemies of the regime are not completely safe. The Chinese government operates the single largest intelligence-gathering apparatus in the world in terms of manpower. Espionage and intimidation by regime functionaries – often under diplomatic cover – is frequently reported by activists worldwide. Even the U.S. Congress has called on China to cease its illegal harassment and spying campaigns within America.
Hope:
Of course, China is hardly the only nation where Christians and Catholics are persecuted by government. According to a study released last year by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life, believers in Christ face some form of systematic harassment or persecution in 130 nations – about two thirds of the countries on Earth.
Still, the Chinese government is the biggest single oppressor of Christians in the world, and it sees itself as an up-and-coming global super power. And while human rights groups worldwide recognize the regime as one of the worst dictatorships in terms of gross violations of liberty and fundamental human dignity, its growing economic power has many Western leaders intimidated.
Despite what China Aid’s Romero describes as the Chinese regime’s “incredible propaganda machinery,” awareness of the dictatorship’s behavior is growing around the world. And that, experts say, is the key to ending the persecution. “Once the public discovers this, there is a passion that is aroused,” Romero says.
Sources report that publicizing the crimes of the regime can have a huge effect on Beijing, which strives to be seen in a positive. And a good opportunity to pressure the regime is coming soon: China’s Vice-President Xi Jinping will be visiting the U.S. to meet with President Obama. “Citizens can make their voices heard more directly during this trip, in the media or even in prayer vigils and peaceful protests,” says the Shea with the Center for Religious Freedom.
But while Beijing does respond to international pressure, it will take a lot more attention and a much louder global outcry to finally end the abuses once and for all. In the meantime, the persecuted churches in China and their allies around the world ask that Christians all over the globe continue to pr
This article originally appeared in Crisis and is used by permission of the author.
