China

16 profiled groups with documented operations in China — 3 Extreme-band, 3 High-band, 10 Moderate or below. Presence here describes documented operations, not a judgement about China or its communities; many listed groups also operate elsewhere.

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Christian

Shincheonji Church of Jesus / Lee Man-hee

South Korean apocalyptic Christian movement founded 1984 in Anyang by Lee Man-hee (born 1931). Approximately 300,000 baptised members and millions of associated 'Bible students' globally. Centred on Lee's claim to be the 'promised pastor' who uniquely interprets the Book of Revelation. Globally notorious after the February 2020 Daegu COVID-19 super-spreader event that produced South Korea's first major outbreak. Lee convicted 2020 of obstruction of disease-control investigations; acquitted of embezzlement charges on appeal 2021.

Christian

God Worshipping Society / Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (historical)

Hong Xiuquan's God Worshipping Society, born of his visions identifying himself as Jesus's younger brother, grew into the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom — a millenarian theocracy that held Nanjing for a decade and administered totalist control over tens of millions: sex-segregated camps, communal treasuries, destruction of rival religion, and death penalties for doctrinal violations. The vast historiography makes it the canonical pre-modern case of doctrinal totalism at scale.

Christian

Eastern Lightning / Church of Almighty God (China)

Chinese new religious movement teaching that the female 'Almighty God' (a woman known publicly as Yang Xiangbin) is the second incarnation of Christ. The 2014 Zhaoyuan McDonald's beating-killing of a non-member by Eastern Lightning members drew international attention. Banned in mainland China since 1995; large overseas diaspora; refugee-status claims contested in multiple Western jurisdictions.

Christian

Local Church (Witness Lee / Living Stream Ministry)

Christian movement growing out of Watchman Nee's 'Little Flock' and developed by Witness Lee in the USA. Distinctive 'pray-reading' practice, hierarchical structure tied to Living Stream Ministry, and one-recognised-church-per-locality theology.

New Religious Movement

Falun Gong (Falun Dafa)

Qigong-derived movement founded by Li Hongzhi (1992). Severely persecuted by the Chinese state since 1999, with credible reports of forced organ harvesting from imprisoned practitioners. Internal patterns: founder-veneration, refusal of medical care, and aggressive Epoch Times / Shen Yun media operations.

New Religious Movement

Various Falun Gong-adjacent qigong sects (umbrella)

Umbrella entry for the dozens of Chinese qigong sects of the 1990s 'qigong fever' (氣功熱) period beyond Falun Gong (separately documented). Notable cases include Zhong Gong (Zhang Hongbao, founded 1987, suppressed 1999+), Xiang Gong (Tian Ruisheng), Yan Xin Qigong (Yan Xin, US-based since 1990s), Wan Fa Gui Yi (Hongzhi-Tian Daoism), and many smaller groups. Chinese state suppression from 1999 onward drove most underground or into international diaspora operation.

Christian

Chinese House Church Movement (mainstream)

Chinese underground evangelical movement operating outside the state-registered Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Tens of millions of adherents.

Christian

Three-Self Patriotic Movement (China state-registered church)

Chinese state-registered Protestant body operating under state religious-affairs supervision. Substantial state oversight; mainstream Christian theology with restricted political engagement.

Christian

Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (state-registered)

Chinese state-registered Catholic body operating under state religious-affairs supervision. Distinct from underground Catholic Church loyal to Rome.

Taoist

Quanzhen Taoism (Complete Perfection, monastic)

Celibate monastic Taoist tradition founded by Wang Chongyang (12th c.). Beijing Baiyun Guan is the principal monastery.

Buddhist

Zen Buddhism (mainstream)

Mainstream Zen Buddhism (Japanese Soto, Rinzai, Korean Seon, Vietnamese Thien, Chinese Chan) is a low-CLCI reference point with voluntary practice and recently strengthened safeguarding in Western centres after 1990s–2010s teacher misconduct revelations.

Taoist

Zhengyi Taoism (mainstream)

Mainstream Taoist tradition (Celestial Masters lineage) with married priesthood. Concentrated in southern China and Taiwan.

Other

Chinese folk religion (mainstream)

Chinese folk religion umbrella encompassing ancestor veneration, local deity temples, and ritual traditions. Hundreds of millions of adherents.

Other

Mazu / Tianhou temple network (mainstream)

Major Chinese folk religion temple network venerating Mazu / Tianhou (sea goddess). Concentrated in coastal China and Taiwan.

Taoist

Mainstream Taoism

Mainstream Taoism — encompassing folk religion, monastic Quanzhen and Zhengyi orders, and the philosophical legacy of the Tao Te Ching — is a low-CLCI reference point.

Buddhist

Pure Land Buddhism (mainstream East Asian)

Largest Mahayana sub-tradition globally. Devotion to Amitabha Buddha and recitation of the nembutsu / Buddha-name. Mainstream low-control reference point.

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Complete list of 16 group profiles