China is gearing up for its “coming out party” – otherwise known as the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing – when it will welcome A-list guests that include US President George W Bush and Academy Award winning director Steven Spielberg.
But it’s not only who will be there that is stirring up controversy. Who will not be there – if Beijing has its way – has not been missed by the world's media.
Though notorious for human rights abuses, China has sought to present itself as a country worthy of being one of the world’s top leaders through its hosting of the Olympics.
Despite its efforts to cover up its abuses, however – including those of religious freedom – many reports have surfaced about China’s increasing crackdowns, such as those on Christian activities taking place outside government-sanctioned churches.
Most house church meetings, baptism services and training meetings have had a Public Security Bureau (PSB) present, according to Open Doors’ contacts in China.
And many house church pastors in Beijing have been visited and “requested” to leave the city before the Games begin.
“These crackdowns on Chinese house church believers and others is not unexpected as the communist government of China tries to put its best foot forward to the world in preparing for the Olympics,” commented Dr Carl Moeller, president/CEO of Open Doors USA.
Open Doors, a ministry which supports the persecuted church, compiled a report on tightening Chinese security on Christian activities since the last quarter of 2006 to 2007.
The ministry noted that the Chinese authorities are pursuing a “softer approach” in order to avoid attracting attention from the global community on its religious freedom abuses.
Foreign missionaries are also the target of Beijing’s effort to tightening its control over religion.
Earlier this summer, over 100 foreign missionaries were expelled from the country and some were even blacklisted. The massive expulsion was the largest of its kind since 1954 after the communist government took power in 1949.
