China

The Latest

A house church in Beijing, China.

China’s new ‘Smart Religion’ app requires faithful to register to attend worship services

Mar 7, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A human rights group said the app is part of the communist government’s efforts to “strictly manage religion in a... Read more

Enes Freedom

Former Celtic who risked NBA career to speak out against China receives human rights award  

Dec 9, 2022

By Kelsey Wicks

Former Celtic Enes Kanter Freedom received the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice’s top honor on Dec. 7 at... Read more

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

Vatican says China violated terms of agreement with bishop installation

Nov 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Holy See “noted with surprise and regret” that Bishop John Peng Weizhao had been installed as an “auxiliary bishop... Read more

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A handful of Catholic leaders and others voice support for Cardinal Zen as his trial begins

Sep 26, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell, Courtney Mares

These are Catholic leaders, scholars, and human rights activists who have publicly shown their support for Zen as his trial... Read more

Former Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom will be the keynote speaker at the March for the Martyrs,

This Muslim NBA vet is marching for persecuted Christians on Saturday

Sep 23, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Enes Kanter Freedom, a practicing Muslim from Turkey, will be speaking at the Sept. 24 March for the Martyrs in... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen speaks during a Mass at the Holy Cross Church on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China. The cardinal was set to stand trial on Sept. 19, 2022, in connection to his role as a trustee of a pro-democracy legal fund, which he and other trustees are accused of failing to register civilly. The trial was delayed.

Cardinal Zen’s trial has been delayed due to COVID

Sep 19, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The criminal trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong has been delayed after the judge tested positive for... Read more

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The geopolitics of Pope Francis’ trip to Kazakhstan

Sep 12, 2022

By Courtney Mares

This week Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan, a Muslim-majority country sandwiched between Russia and China. Read more

Uyghur women work in a cloth factory in Hotan county, Xinjiang province, China.

UN: China’s mistreatment of the Uyghurs amounts to modern-day slavery

Aug 17, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

In recent years, China has detained Uyghurs in hundreds of “reeducation camps” and reportedly subjected them to torture and political... Read more

The front of the Chinese embassy in Paris, France

Chinese embassy shares anti-Catholic cartoon amid Pelosi visit to Taiwan

Aug 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The image, created by a Chinese artist and propagandist, shows a gaunt, hooded and witchlike woman — crowned with a... Read more

Congolese civil rights attorney Hervé Diakiese Kyungu testifying on July 14, 2022, at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. on the use of child labor in China-backed cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Testimony: China-backed cobalt mines in Congo exploit 40,000 child workers

Jul 16, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

The mines “are often no more than narrow shafts dug into the ground, which is why children are recruited —... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Without mentioning Zen's arrest, Pope Francis says he is praying for the Church in China

May 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Regina Caeli prayer on May 22, Pope Francis did not... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen may be in Hong Kong court next week

May 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun is scheduled to appear in court May 24, according to a report by the British daily... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, pictured on July 2, 2015.

Cardinal Parolin hopes Zen arrest will not complicate Vatican-China dialogue

May 13, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Parolin said: ‘I would like to express my closeness to the cardinal who was freed and treated well.’ Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

5 things to know about Cardinal Zen

May 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 90-year-old cardinal was arrested and released on bail on May 11. Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun departs the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Vatican following news of Cardinal Zen’s arrest ‘with concern’

May 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See said it was ‘following the development of the situation with extreme attention.’ Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen. Courtesy Photo.

Cardinal Zen arrest: A roundup of reactions

May 11, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

‘The arrest of Cardinal Zen sends a chilling message,’ said William Nee of Chinese Human Rights Defenders. Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on Oct. 3, 2015.

Pope Francis offers condolences after plane crash in China

Mar 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope’s condolence telegram was sent to China’s President Xi Jinping. Read more

British human rights campaigner Benedict Rogers

‘We will not be silenced,’ says UK Catholic activist after Hong Kong jail threat

Mar 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict Rogers was told he could face 3 years in prison under the National Security Law. Read more

The flags of the People’s Republic of China and of Vatican City.

Are diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Beijing on the horizon?

Feb 11, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Two personnel moves have prompted speculation that the Vatican is changing its diplomatic strategy. Read more

Protesters at a school boycott rally in Hong Kong’s Central District, Sept. 2, 2019.

Religious repression in Hong Kong could soon worsen, Christian cleric warns

Feb 10, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Speaking anonymously during an online discussion, a Christian cleric in Hong Kong said he thinks it is likely that greater... Read more