Chinese student describes state-sanctioned "Three-Self" churches as party branches in religious dress
Taiwanese pastors are being drawn into exchanges with China's official Protestant church system, and critics warn the visits serve Beijing's united front goals rather than faith.
- A Chinese student in Taiwan says the state-approved "Three-Self" church puts loyalty to the Communist Party above religion, calling it a party branch wearing church clothes.
- Chinese Protestant bodies have run training courses on "loving the party, the country and socialism," mixing party history and political loyalty into religious teaching.
- Beijing does not need to pay Taiwanese clergy — hosted trips, meals and warm receptions build ties over time.
- Taiwanese pastors who accept the invitations risk being used in propaganda showing cross-strait religious harmony and proof of religious freedom in China.
- The concern is not exchange itself but whether the other side carries a political assignment and whether the relationship is open and equal.
Outlook: Expect more scrutiny in Taiwan of church-to-church visits with China as united front pressure keeps rising.