“Sinicisation” is the CCP’s official policy of secularising religious beliefs so that they conform to and support the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was first promoted by Xi Jinping in 2016, when he called on the Party to “guide the adaptation of religions to socialist society.” Religious communities in China are absorbed into the Party’s United Front to facilitate indoctrination and encourage ideological conformity.
Hong Kong is the CCP’s next target to Sinicise religions. Catholic clergymen in the city were briefed about Sinicisation by Chinese religious leaders. All Hong Kong schools, including religious-based schools, are legally required to provide “national- security education.” While the Sino-Vatican secret deal does not currently extend to Hong Kong, there are multiple instances where Beijing has sought to influence Hong Kong’s diocese, including the appointment of Hong Kong bishop after predecessor’s death, and the attempts to impose new administrative measures on religion. In addition to the policies of Sinicisation, the CCP has also actively targeted persons of faith through imprisonment; high-profile political prisoners like Jimmy Lai and Joshua Wong can also be characterised as religious prisoners of conscience.
To prioritise religious freedom in Hong Kong, the U.S. government, in concert with partners and allies, should:
- Discourage the Vatican from expanding its 2018 deal with Beijing. The US should oppose any expansion of the Sino-Vatican deal in the strongest terms and continue in diplomacy with the Vatican to urge the repeal of the 2018 deal which has already been renewed twice.
- Press for the release of all political prisoners including religious prisoners of conscience. There are hundreds of Hong Kong political prisoners that could be adopted by members of Congress or Commissioners at the U.S. Commission on International Religious. These include high-profile individuals, like Jimmy Lai, Joshua Wong, and others.
- Monitor deteriorations in religious freedom in Hong Kong. The US should monitor the state of religious persecution in Hong Kong and establish safe and secure channels to communicate with the underground church in the PRC and religious societies in Hong Kong.
- Partner with other persecuted groups in China to advance U.S. policy toward China. The development of more regular and systematic mechanisms can help facilitate coordination with and between affected communities, including Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, and other persons of faith.
March 13 2024 – Today 16 international experts in freedom of religion or belief have expressed “profound and grave concerns”
30 January 2024 – The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation has today launched a major new report
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Screening of The Hong Konger and Discussion on Jimmy Lai and Religious Freedom You are cordially invited to a screening
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This week’s blog is authored by Simon Cheng, Founder of Hongkongers in Britain and Isaac Cheng, Director of Kongtinue. Our
Prioritizing the Protection of Religious Freedom in Hong Kong Co-hosted with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Featured Speakers Nury