Subjugation of religion to politics in ChinaBy Shen Yan 沈言A few years ago, China’s approach to handling religious affairs underwent a transformation. Representing more than just a name change, the shift is a reframing of religion and its social practices as objects of state governance. After the realignment of the religious affairs body, religious exchanges and spaces are subject to an entirely different kind of political machinery. In China, religion, charity and community services are all fair game as government resources, with political functions that are by no means dictated by their original intent. The agency and decisionmaking authority of religious institutions has already been plucked out and transferred into the hands of the party.

Source: Taipei Times February 13, 2026 18:13 UTC