China

The Latest

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

China is removing crosses from churches, replacing images of Christ with Xi Jinping

Oct 1, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

A new report details the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to “exert total control” over the Catholic Church and other religious... Read more

A worshipper waves the flag of China as Pope Francis leaves following the weekly general audience on June 12, 2019, at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope’s Asia visit draws attention to Holy See’s delicate China diplomacy

Sep 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

As the Vatican-China deal nears renewal, Pope Francis’ Asia tour sparked debate on the future of the Holy See’s ties... Read more

Vatican peace envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi spoke Aug. 14, 2024, with Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, about the Russia-Ukraine war. The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the region.

Vatican talks to China in continued Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

Aug 16, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai remains in solitary confinement after Hong Kong trial delayed until November

Aug 5, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Media mogul and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai will remain in solitary confinement after a Hong Kong court delayed his national... Read more

This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2024, shows a Chinese flag fluttering below a cross on a Christian church in Pingtan in China’s southeast Fujian province.

Top Catholic app reportedly removed from app store in China

Jul 16, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Alex Jones, Hallow’s founder, posted on social media Monday afternoon that the app “just got kicked out of the App... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a video message to the conference “100 Years Since the ‘Concilium Sinense’” at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Pope Francis praises historic council in China as ‘an authentic synodal journey’

May 21, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In a video message to a conference in Rome, the pope noted that Chinese Catholics have endured “times of patience... Read more

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ, archbishop of Hong Kong, China.

A look at the bishop of Hong Kong’s recent visit to mainland China

May 15, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Chow led a 10-person delegation of Catholics from Hong Kong to the southern Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shantou, and Shenzhen... Read more

Catholic pilgrims from Hong Kong came to see the pope at the welcome ceremony in Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Sept. 2, 2023.

Freedom of religion is ‘deteriorating’ in Hong Kong, new report says

Feb 6, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

The Chinese government is now tightening its grip on the region of more than 7 million residents, a Jan. 30... Read more

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Taipei on Dec. 27, 2022.

President of Taiwan joins Pope Francis in call for regulating AI

Jan 31, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen sent a letter to Pope Francis on Wednesday joining the pontiff in calling for greater... Read more

Janada Marcus, 22, was forced to flee Boko Haram with her family twice before the terrorists attacked them again, killing her father and kidnapping her.

New online database tracks attacks against Christians in real time

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The “Violent Incidents Database,” launched by Global Christian Relief on Jan. 5, tracks attacks on Christians and people of faith... Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese bishop who was removed from diocese by Communist regime is arrested

Jan 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was arrested on Jan. 2 and reportedly instructed to “take clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty in Hong Kong national security trial

Jan 2, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Lai’s trial in Hong Kong began last month, launching what is expected to be a protracted legal exhibition capping several... Read more

Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai's international legal team, appears on “EWTN News Nightly” with host Tracy Sabol on Dec. 19, 2023.

Jimmy Lai unlikely to receive a fair trial from Hong Kong judges, lawyer says

Dec 20, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai was arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law. Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Congressional commission urges sanctions if Hong Kong won’t release Jimmy Lai

Dec 18, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Jimmy Lai, now 76, has been imprisoned for three years in a maximum security prison, charged with a variety of... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Trial begins for Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Catholic activist imprisoned for 3 years

Dec 18, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Lai was originally arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law, which was passed by China’s communist-controlled... Read more

Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Our Lady Church on Dec. 24, 2019, in Macau, China.

Christian population shrinking in China amid ‘crackdown’

Dec 15, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

This finding, human rights activists told CNA, is not surprising given the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts in recent years to... Read more

A 17th-century Japanese depiction of St. Francis Xavier from the Kobe City Museum collection.

The unlikely hero of India: St. Francis Xavier 

Dec 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

St. Francis Xavier is a patron saint of missionaries and missions and led an unlikely life of adventure and heroism. Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Hong Kong lawmaker blasts Catholic bishops’ petition for release of Jimmy Lai 

Nov 21, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

“I advise those religious leaders to know when to quit, or else they will have a heavy price to pay,”... Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

China’s top patriotic bishop stresses unity, sinicization to guide evangelization

Nov 20, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

After a three-day visit to Hong Kong, Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing stressed the importance of building unity. Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishop reflects on his experience at the Synod on Synodality

Nov 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining recently said he was “cheered” to meet Catholics from around the world. Read more