Xi Jinping is introducing “more intrusive Party control of the two main components of the country’s nervous system: money and the Internet”, says expert Massimo Introvigne.

“We reject any declaration that does not respect the historic doctrines of our institution”, they say. Other denominations are also expected to leave.

The new law states that Chinese Christians need a state permit to publish religious content, which “should not incite subversion or oppose the communist party leadership”.

In a major speech in 2016, President Xi Jinping called for the ‘sinicization of religion’. For the Chinese Communist Party, the rise of religion, especially Christianity and Islam, represents an existential threat to its political health.

“The sustained growth of the churches unnerves the government”, Cuban Pastor Mario Félix Lleonart, says. Several evangelical leaders have been interrogated and arrested in the last months.

President Xi Jinping threatens non-official churches with more controls and says Communist party members must remain “staunchly atheist.” State media spread the conclusions of governmental conference on religion.