A Taipei megachurch is under scrutiny after its founder praised Xi Jinping from the pulpit, raising fears of Chinese influence operations inside Taiwan's religious groups.

• The Hallelujah Home Church in Taipei's Da'an district, known for its celebrity attendees, ran sermons and a children's newsletter praising "Xi Dada" and China's "great national rejuvenation."
• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council called it surprising, noting Beijing normally suppresses churches rather than letting them preach its leader.
• The council pointed to China's recent mass arrests of Zion Church members and demolition of prayer halls as proof of how Beijing treats religious freedom.
• A political scientist at National Cheng Kung University questioned whether it is a real church at all, since the Communist Party is officially atheist, and suggested it may be a front for spreading Xi's ideology.
• Calls are growing for the government to examine the church's funding, internal structure, and its founder's ties to China.

Outlook: Expect pressure on Taiwanese authorities to open an inquiry into the church's money and links to Beijing, while stopping short of curbing religious speech.