China (MNN) — On March 12th, China’s National People’s Congress passed a law promoting ethnic unity and progress that will go into effect on July 1st.
Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says the Communist Party’s goal is to keep the peace.
“Their goal is for there to be harmony and unity within China, and for them, that is the majority, Han-based, Mandarin-speaking harmony, communist ideology,” Rovenstine said.
From their perspective, if the government can maintain harmony, it can provide for the comfort and prosperity of its people.
(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)
“They’re simply governing their country in a way that they deem best, in their opinion,” Rovenstine said.
To Rovenstine, this is not a surprising move on China’s part. It’s Communist China being Communist China.
At the government level, it would be easier to govern China through control, demanding one language, a singular culture, and a mindset that is “best for everyone.” However, diversity and independent culture suffer.
“There is a very real opportunity for abuse and overreach in a policy such as this,” Rovenstine says.
While this is not an overt attack on Christianity or any other religious or ethnic minority groups in the country, it could be used as the next in a string of policies in China that seek to control, suppress, and assimilate people.
If this new law does lead to religious persecution, Rovenstine thinks individual provinces and leaders will take advantage of this.
To the people in China, Rovenstine says this is not new.
“They learn how to make adjustments in ministry, whether it’s a registered church, house church, or just somebody trying to live their life in China,” he says.
Please pray for wisdom for those who are wondering how this policy will affect their ability to share the gospel and live their lives in a way that’s consistent with Jesus’ model.
Pray for the wisdom to know when to pivot and that believers will be encouraged and will continue to live in obedience to God and to serve in the country where God has placed them.
(Photo courtesy of Karwin Luo/Unsplash)
