China Codifies and Escalates Its Policy on the “Sinicization of Religion”

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on China:

China's Codification and Escalation of the "Sinicization of Religion" – The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under Xi Jinping’s rule has systematically intensified its restrictions of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) through a series of laws that it recently passed and promulgated, expanding its coercive “sinicization of religion” policy. This issue update highlights the systematic nature of China’s worsening repression of ethnoreligious minorities such as Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and others. 

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State redesignate China as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]

Individuals imprisoned for their religion or belief continue to face state repression even upon their release. For example, in Saudi Arabia, China, and Egypt, many released prisoners face bans on leaving the country, preventing them from visiting family, speaking freely about their experiences, or finding work or residency in other countries. Such bans often have little oversight, transparency, or opportunity for appeal. In Vietnam, individuals are pressured not to speak to media or post on social media. In Nicaragua they are deported from the country as a condition for their release. Individuals in Iran may be forbidden from joining social groups or civil society organizations or face restrictions on their religious activities. They also may be sent into internal exile, miles away from their family and friends. 

On this episode of USCIRF Spotlight, Chair Vicky Hartzler speaks with Freedom House President Gerardo Berthin about individuals who continue to face restrictions on their religious freedom even after leaving prison. The episode highlights USCIRF-recommended CPC and SWL countries where such practices are in place and discusses policy recommendations for Congress and the administration to hold accountable governments engaged in these restrictions.