In a detailed report released on April 15, 2026, Human Rights Watch revealed that underground Catholic communities in China are facing increasing pressure from the state to affiliate with the official church. This intensification of control comes nearly eight years after the 2018 agreement between the Holy See and Beijing regarding the appointment of bishops, which has been criticized for facilitating religious repression.

The report notes that the Chinese government's "Sinicization" of religion policy, which began in April 2016, mandates that religious practices align with the ideologies of the Chinese Communist Party and reflect Han Chinese cultural values. This approach has resulted in heightened surveillance, ideological control, and travel restrictions impacting the country's approximately 12 million Catholics.

Yalkun Uluyol, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted that "Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms." He urged Pope Leo XIV to reconsider the agreement with Beijing, stating that it inadvertently supports the persecution of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers.

The report discusses the Chinese government's intolerance towards independent religious practice, having denied access to external researchers and punishing individuals who communicate with foreign media or human rights groups. Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with nine individuals familiar with Catholic life in China and reviewed pertinent government documents to substantiate their findings.

As of the report's publication date, neither the Chinese government nor the Holy See had commented on the allegations, which underscore the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by religious practitioners in China.

The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in the country and reiterates the need for international advocacy to protect the rights of all religious groups in China.