News Desk
BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Public Security unleashed an aggressive nationwide campaign in 2024 to suppress what it calls “xie jiao” — a term loosely translated as “evil cults” but increasingly a catch-all for any religious or spiritual group the government deems a threat. In a report posted last week on its official WeChat account, the ministry boasted of orchestrating 56,000 anti-religious events, reaching more than 17 million people, as part of a broader effort to stamp out unapproved beliefs and enforce social control.
The campaign, which zeroed in on groups like Falun Gong and The Church of Almighty God, didn’t stop there. It also swept up Christian house churches and even some self-help programs masquerading as “psychological healing” or “spiritual cultivation.” The term “xie jiao,” historically meaning “heterodox teachings,” has morphed into a flexible label, applied to anything from rural prayer groups to New Age-style seminars that stray from the Communist Party’s rigid ideological line.
The ministry’s report paints a picture of a country on high alert. Public security forces ramped up the “Spring Rain Project,” a rural outreach initiative aimed at rooting out grassroots religious activity. They also doubled down on “rehabilitation” and “reeducation” efforts — terms that often mean forced deprogramming for those caught practicing unsanctioned faiths. In a surprising twist, the crackdown extended to organizations offering self-improvement courses, which authorities accused of hiding illegal activities behind a veneer of personal growth.
The numbers are staggering. Alongside the 56,000 propaganda events, the ministry claims over 18 million people signed an online “Say No to Xie Jiao” petition. Law enforcement didn’t hold back either. While the report highlights 77 “major” cases since 2018 — leading to 269 prosecutions and the seizure of 217 million yuan (about $29.75 million) — it hints at a far higher total caseload, fueled by beefed-up tech and a growing cadre of specialized officers.
This escalation comes straight from the top. Party leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have grumbled that decades of repression haven’t wiped out these groups. If anything, the report suggests, they’re gaining ground — a rare admission of defiance in a system obsessed with stability. The ministry’s response? Flood villages, schools, workplaces, and even cyberspace with warnings about the dangers of “xie jiao recruitment.”
For outsiders, the campaign underscores a grim reality: China’s human rights record remains a glaring pivot point. While Beijing frames this as a defense of “national political security,” critics see a relentless assault on freedom of belief. The vague “xie jiao” label, combined with mass surveillance and reeducation camps, leaves little room for dissent — religious or otherwise. As 2025 unfolds, the world watches to see how far China will push its iron grip on the soul of its people.
