URGENT UPDATE: Christmas Eve celebrations across China were heavily suppressed this year, as authorities tightened restrictions on religious gatherings and public festivities. Reports from various provinces indicate that state security officials blocked planned church services, warned students against Christmas-related social media activity, and detained individuals participating in spontaneous celebrations.
In Shandong, Zhejiang, and Sichuan provinces, Christians affiliated with underground house churches reported that state security officers prohibited them from holding Christmas Eve services on December 24, 2023. Pastor Huang in Qingdao stated, “All collective gatherings here are banned,” noting a stark absence of festive decorations in malls and public spaces.
Pastor Wang from Wenzhou, a region known for its vibrant Christian community, confirmed that only state-sanctioned churches were permitted to conduct Christmas activities. “Several believers detained earlier in December have not been released,” he said, highlighting the discouragement among congregants to attend group events.
Universities across the nation joined the crackdown, with institutions like Dezhou University instructing students not to post Christmas-themed content online. At Northwest University in Shaanxi Province, students were required to remain on campus during the holiday, facing nightly roll calls. Screenshots of these notices circulated on social media, sparking outrage among students.
In Shanghai, law enforcement took action against festive expressions, detaining a woman dressed as Santa Claus who distributed apples. Footage captured the moment officers questioned several individuals in Santa costumes, alongside confiscated holiday decorations. One resident lamented the situation, saying, “Christmas can now only exist within clearly defined boundaries.”
Reports of similar restrictions emerged nationwide, with Christians in Fujian Province noting a significant decline in public Christmas events outside of state-controlled venues over the past two years. A student in Shenyang reported that schools actively discouraged students from wearing Christmas attire, while local officials advised families against church attendance.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enforces stringent regulations limiting religious activities to approved venues, with public celebrations increasingly curtailed. As part of this policy, local governments have reiterated that Christmas festivities should not “expand outward” or be publicly promoted. Underground churches consistently receive notifications barring collective celebrations, with some requiring advance attendee lists for services.
As these developments unfold, the U.S. Embassy in China shared a holiday video on social media, wishing viewers “a joyful, peaceful holiday season!” The video garnered mixed reactions, with many commenting on the regime’s oppressive stance towards Christmas celebrations.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected. Christians across China are left to navigate a landscape where traditional festivities are stifled, prompting concerns about the future of religious expression in the country.
