China: Xi Jinping Wants to Systematically Carry Out the Sinicization of All Religions

Xi Jiping is the first leader after Mao Zedong to remain at the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and therefore at the head of all of China, for more than two terms. It is true that Mao lasted 33 years as Chairman of the CCP. So, the road is still long.

In a speech that was both a defense of his record, but also a program for the future, Xi Jinping, notably mentioned his intention “to complete the reunification of China,” in a clear reference to Taiwan, the autonomous island that the Chinese authorities consider to be a secessionist province of which they will sooner or later take control.

The Chinese president thus declared: “We will not renounce the use of force and will take all necessary measures to stop all separatist movements.” He added, “the resolution of the Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese people themselves, which should be decided by the Chinese people.”

In this speech, which lasted more than an hour, the Chinese president also addressed the issue of religion. He strongly stressed that China will continue its efforts to “Sinicize religion and systematically carry out the adaptation of religion and socialist society.”

For a communist, this means absolute control of religious beliefs. For this purpose, the Chinese government uses bodies created between 1953 and 1957: religious associations for Muslims, Buddhists, Protestants, Taoists, and, finally, Catholics, i.e., the famous Patriotic Association of Chinese Catholics, a truly schismatic church.

These associations serve the communist dictatorship. The PACC is thus, under a religious exterior, a veritable transmission belt for Marxist ideology, wrapped in Catholic notions.

But the party can also rely on the unfortunate agreement on the appointment of bishops signed between China and the Vatican in 2018 for two years, and renewed in 2020. It is due to be renewed again for two years soon, according to the wishes of the Vatican authorities, even though the arbitrary arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen and his ongoing trial in Hong Kong are not reassuring.

The communist power will in no way be hampered by any agreement to continue to bring Chinese Catholics to heel, because for a communist all this is only practical: he does not feel in any way committed. Events reported from China have only confirmed this for four years.