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Same As It Ever Was
21 December 2004China's new regulations on religious affairs -- described by the government as a safeguard of religious freedom -- are unlikely to actually increase the free practice of unofficial religions, such as China's many underground Catholic and Protestant house churches, and the Falun Gong movement, which the Chinese government has called an "evil cult." Analysts say the new rules will still stress the dominion of the state over religion, and only state-sanctioned religions will benefit from the protections. "'For those [religions] which are not registered,'" said Chan Kim-kwong, of the Hong Kong Christian Council, "'Chinese government's dismissal of them in terms of banning or punishment will be stepped up. When the grey areas have gone and if you're not registered, you won't be in the game anymore.'"
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