ABSTRACT

Christianity, like all the other major religions in China, has benefited from the more accommodative religious policies promulgated by the ruling Communist Party since the early 1980s. Its revival and, according to some estimates, rapid expansion in China has attracted much attention from researchers, the general public, Chinese policymakers, local and international media, foreign Christian groups and governments. This is partly because – perhaps more than other major religions except Islam – the practice of Christianity in China has profound implications that very often spill out of the “religious” domain to touch on issues such as international relations, human rights, politics and social engagement, as well as to provoke intense and emotionally charged debates regarding the essence of Chinese culture.