China
Tanzania’s first female president takes office, breaking new ground for women in hijab
By Joseph Hammond — March 19, 2021
(RNS) — Samia Suluhu Hassan is the second Muslim woman who wears hijab to become president of a country in which Muslims are a minority.
As genocide designation becomes a political football, Uyghur activists push for action
By Joseph Hammond — March 5, 2021
(RNS) — Advocates for the Uyghurs say they expect the Biden administration to proceed on the understanding that China's actions amount to genocide.
Cardinal Parolin addresses financial scandals, China and Iraq in new interview
By Claire Giangravé — January 29, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The cardinal, who is the secretary of state at the Vatican, said the world is undergoing massive crises that underline the need to come together in solidarity and dialogue.
Open Doors’ 2021 watch list highlights impact of COVID-19 on religious persecution worldwide
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 13, 2021
(RNS) — North Korea leads the organization’s annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution for their faith for the 20th straight year.
How the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation got included in Congress’ $900 billion relief bill
By Paul O'Donnell — December 24, 2020
(RNS) — The bill’s concern with reincarnation is aimed at reining in China’s meddling in Tibet’s religious affairs.
Vatican and China extend ‘experimental’ agreement on appointment of bishops
By Claire Giangravé — October 22, 2020
(RNS) — Vatican officials believe a long-term deal could improve the lives of Chinese Catholics, but critics say the negotiations have already prompted Pope Francis to remain silent on human rights abuses.
Barrett hearings will play into Trump’s hopes to claim Catholic high ground
By John Gehring — October 9, 2020
(RNS) — Democrats will walk right into a trap set for them by conservatives if they make her faith the centerpiece of these hearings.
Pompeo, on impromptu visit to Rome, warns Vatican on China deal
By Claire Giangravé — September 30, 2020
(RNS) — An agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops has been controversial among Catholics, who say it hinders the church’s moral authority to condemn human rights violations.
Global missionary efforts have taken a hit in the time of coronavirus
By Claire Giangravé — September 9, 2020
VATICAN CTY (RNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic saw a ‘large reduction’ in the realm of missionary work, aggravating an ongoing decline in the number of vocations and priests seeking to become missionaries.
Vatican’s China deal may protect Chinese Catholics, keep Pope Francis silent
By Claire Giangravé — August 11, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A new deal with the Vatican could protect Chinese Catholics but silence Pope Francis’ critiques of China.
Trump’s limp response to Uighur persecution
By Mark Silk — July 14, 2020
(RNS) — The greatest abuse of religious liberty in the world today should incur a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
China sanctions Cruz, Rubio, Smith, Brownback for criticism
By Associated Press — July 13, 2020
BEIJING (AP) — China said Monday it will impose sanctions on three U.S. lawmakers and Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback in response to similar actions taken by the U.S. last week against Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses against Muslims.
As Dalai Lama turns 85, his lineage’s future is as uncertain as Tibet’s
By Ira Rifkin — July 6, 2020
(RNS) — As the Tibetan Buddhist leader ages, a confrontation with China over the legitimacy of his successor looms.
On July 5, Uighurs remember 2009 violence that set Chinese crackdown in motion
By Aysha Khan — July 3, 2020
(RNS) — The uprising of July 5, 2009, and ensuing ethnic violence charted the way forward for China’s mass suppression of Uighurs over a decade later.
As Trump signs Uighur human rights law, Bolton book claims he supported Chinese camps
By Aysha Khan — June 17, 2020
(RNS) — The law’s signing comes amid explosive allegations by former national security adviser John Bolton that Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping to continue building the prisonlike camps.
