The Extensive Reach of Chinese Transnational Repression

China has been described as the “most prolific,” “sophisticated, far-reaching, and comprehensive” perpetrator of transnational repression in the world. It has targeted many religious communities in diaspora, including Uyghur Muslims, Protestant Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and members of the Church of Almighty God. Specific transnational repression tactics used by the Chinese government include stalking, harassment, intimidation or threats, assault, kidnapping, forcing or coercing the victim to return to China, and threatening or detaining family members in China. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate China as a Country of Particular Concern.

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler joins Supervisory Policy Advisor Mingzhi Chen to discuss the impact of China’s transnational repression on religious freedom.

Read USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report Chapter on China and USCIRF’s most recent factsheet on Sinicization of Religion: China’s Coercive Religious Policy.

With Contributions from:

Mingzhi Chen, Supervisory Policy Advisor, USCIRF

Veronica McCarthy, Public Affairs Specialist, USCIRF