The Chinese Communist Party continues to advance the "Sinicization of hymns," a significant aspect of its broader initiative to integrate Christianity with traditional Chinese culture. Rev. Hou Yujie, chairman and president of the Liaoning Provincial Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee in Yingkou, Liaoning Province, has authored a collection of poems themed around the "Sinicization of Christianity." These poems incorporate lyrics that reflect CCP political views, diverging from traditional biblical and theological themes by shifting praise from the Trinity and Christ to the State and the Party.
This collection comprises 50 poems written by Hou Yujie in various settings such as churches, seminaries, during travels, and at midnight during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in China. The content aligns with core socialist values promoted by the CCP while selectively retaining elements of fundamental Christian beliefs. The overall tone aims to promote Chinese national traditions and foster unity, progress, peace, and tolerance.
The poetry collection includes songs like “Bless the Motherland,” “The Fragrance of Christ Permeates China,” “The Contribution of Chinese Religion,” and “The Joy of Your Nation.” Some pieces support the official Sinicization policy titled “Promoting Sinicization of Christianity.” One song, “The Beauty of the Four Propels,” promotes integrating national symbols such as the flag, Constitution, laws, socialist core values, and traditional Chinese culture into religious activities.
Other songs use political slogans to encourage believers to glorify God while benefiting others. Examples include: “Remain true to the original aspiration and Never Forget the Mission,” “Learning to be Tolerant and Forgiving,” “Enlightening in the beauty of Life,” and “Building Christian Families.”
In recent years, Chinese officials have prohibited local churches from using traditional hymns like those in the "Spiritual Songs collection" or popular gospel hymns such as "Canaan Hymns" by Lu Xiaomin. Instead, officials have established Christian cultural activity centers within government-registered churches. These centers organize operas, sketches, calligraphy groups, painting sessions, opera performances like "The Spirit of the Nineteenth Congress," and plays such as "Hongniang." The content focuses on integrating local culture into Christianity rather than praising religious figures.
