Protestant missionaries were active in China in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. In 1949, with the victory of the Communist Party under Mao Tse Tung, China entered a period of religious repression. In the 1980's, as the Chinese government sought to improve its relationships with the West and embark on a course of technological and economic development, China began a policy of allowing the rebuilding of churches, temples and mosques. A religious revival ensued which has continued to the present day. Religious membership far exceeds the membership of the Communist Party.
Exact figures are unknown because of widespread unofficial religious activity.
The largest religions in China at present are Buddhism and Daoism. In addition, the 1997 White Paper estimates that there are 18 million Moslems, four million Catholics and ten million Protestants. These figures, which include only officially recognized believers, are considered to be extremely low, with more accurate estimates ranging to as high as five times the official number. Although the Chinese Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there is, in fact, very little religious freedom in China today. The state protects normal religious activities.