Christmas celebrations across China this year faced significant restrictions imposed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Reports indicate that local authorities blocked many religious gatherings and public festivities, resulting in a subdued holiday atmosphere nationwide. Interviews with pastors, Christians, and residents reveal a concerted effort by the state to limit celebrations and enforce compliance with official regulations.
In several provinces, including Shandong, Zhejiang, and Sichuan, underground house churches reported that state security officials prevented them from holding Christmas Eve services. For instance, Pastor Huang from Qingdao, Shandong, stated that authorities explicitly informed congregants they could not gather for the traditional service. Instead, he and his family opted for a private gathering at home. “All collective gatherings here are banned,” Huang remarked. “There’s no Christmas atmosphere at all this year—not just in Qingdao, but elsewhere as well.”
Wenzhou, a city renowned for its large Christian population, experienced similar restrictions. Pastor Wang mentioned that only activities within officially registered churches were permitted. He noted that several believers detained earlier in December had not been released, which discouraged many Christians from attending group events. Under the CCP’s regulations, only state-sanctioned Christian denominations can operate, with sermons and activities closely monitored by the National Religious Affairs Administration.
Universities and Public Celebrations Under Scrutiny
In addition to religious gatherings, several universities across China issued warnings to students against participating in Christmas celebrations. At Dezhou University in Shandong, students were instructed to refrain from posting Christmas-related content on social media, with the university cautioning that online activity could be monitored. In Northwest University in Shaanxi Province, students were reportedly required to remain on campus during the holiday, complete with nightly roll calls.
Students from Zhejiang shared experiences of being told to remove Christmas-themed profile images and avoid any related online content. This tightening of restrictions on personal expression reflects a broader trend of state control over public celebrations.
Heightened Policing and Commercial Limitations
In the bustling city of Shanghai, police detained an individual dressed as Santa Claus who was distributing apples to passersby. Footage of the incident showed several people in festive costumes being questioned at a police station, with Christmas hats and decorations confiscated. A Christian resident of Shanghai, wishing to remain anonymous, remarked that commercial Christmas displays were largely confined to designated areas, with some decorations removed as early as December 22. “Christmas can now only exist within clearly defined boundaries,” he said.
Reports from various regions, including Fujian Province and Shenyang, indicate that public Christmas events outside state-sanctioned churches have diminished significantly over the past two years. Residents noted that authorities had advised families against bringing children to church activities and that large shopping malls lacked the vibrant decorations seen in previous years.
The CCP’s stringent regulations require religious activities to occur solely within approved venues, with public festivals prohibited from extending into open spaces. Local governments have reiterated that Christmas celebrations should “not expand outward, not be amplified, and not be promoted.” Some underground churches received notifications barring public or collective celebrations. In certain cities, churches were required to submit attendee lists in advance or allow officials to conduct inspections during the holiday season.
Against this backdrop, the U.S. Embassy in China posted a holiday video on December 23, wishing viewers “a joyful, peaceful holiday season.” The video circulated widely on Chinese social media, eliciting a mix of positive responses and critical commentary regarding the regime’s efforts to suppress Christmas festivities.
As the holiday season concludes, the impact of the CCP’s restrictions on religious expression and public celebration remains evident, leaving many questioning the future of such traditions in a country where state control continues to tighten.
