Franklin Wolf | Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom | China Aid Advisory Board website
On May 1, the official "Two organizations of Christianity/Lianghui"—The National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China and The China Christian Council—issued an article interpreting the "Outline of the Five-Year Work Plan for Deeply Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity (2023-2027)," released in January.
The article, published on the official website of Christianity in China, emphasizes that the focus of the Outline 2023-2027 extends beyond discussing the significance of Sinicization to detailing how it will be implemented. It outlines plans to begin with major theological themes such as “theology of God,” “Christian theology,” “theology of humanity,” and “theology of the church,” all within a Chinese cultural context.
"In terms of content coverage, the 'Outline' not only involves artistic forms of expression such as sacred music, painting, and architecture but also focuses on developing internal theological thought," states the article. It further notes that participating groups now include seminary students and grassroots volunteers alongside clergy.
The work priorities outlined by these Christian organizations can be seen as systematic efforts by the government to change Christianity's content. The document calls for implementing patriotic education laws, celebrating anniversaries related to Communist Party milestones, and organizing events like concerts and exhibitions to foster patriotism among religious individuals.
Moreover, symposiums and seminars are planned to improve church governance under state leadership and celebrate key anniversaries such as the 70th anniversary of the National Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee. Theological discussions integrating traditional Chinese culture are also encouraged to build a Christian theological system with Chinese characteristics.
Training courses on Sinicization theory for pastoral workers aim to enrich activities and expand its positive impact. Additionally, there will be efforts to compile Chinese-language Bible commentaries and hold symposiums involving political, religious, and academic circles.
"The two official organizations intend to use media resources and various conferences to create a favorable atmosphere for Sinicization," says one section. They aim to clarify misunderstandings about Sinicization through effective publicity.
This five-year plan was developed under direct instruction from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is being implemented through affiliated official Christian organizations. In China's current political environment where churches face suppression, this policy aims to transform Christianity into a subordinate entity aligned with CCP interests.
