October 2025 - Page 2

Islam came to China in the 7th century, around the same time as Christianity — during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) — but it took root much more deeply and continuously.

Here’s a concise timeline of Islam’s arrival and development in China:

7th Century – Tang Dynasty (First Arrival)
- According to both Chinese and Arab historical records, Islam was introduced to China around 651 CE, when the third caliph Uthman ibn Affan sent an embassy to Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
- Early Muslim traders, diplomats, and sailors from Arabia and Persia arrived through the Silk Road and maritime trade routes to cities like Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Chang’an.
- These Muslims settled, intermarried with locals, and formed the roots of the Hui ethnic group.
8th–13th Centuries – Song and Yuan Dynasties (Growth and Integration)
- During the Song dynasty (960–1279), Muslim merchants were active in port cities, contributing to foreign trade and technology exchange.
- Under the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by the Mongols, many Muslims from Central Asia served as administrators, engineers, and scientists. The Yuan rulers called them “Huihui”, a term that eventually evolved into “Hui”, referring to Chinese Muslims today.
14th–17th Centuries – Ming Dynasty (Sinicization)
- During the Ming dynasty, Muslims gradually adopted Chinese culture and language while maintaining their faith.
- Prominent figures like Zheng He, the famous Muslim admiral and explorer, led maritime expeditions across Asia and Africa between 1405–1433, representing both China and its Muslim community.
17th–19th Centuries – Qing Dynasty (Consolidation and Conflict)
- Islam remained widespread in regions like Yunnan, Gansu, and Xinjiang, though there were occasional tensions and uprisings due to ethnic and political factors.
- Despite this, Islam became deeply rooted across northwestern and southwestern China.
20th–21st Centuries – Modern Period
- After 1949, Islam continued to be practiced under the Chinese Islamic Association, with official recognition as one of China’s five major religions.
- Today, China’s Muslim population is estimated at around 20–30 million, primarily among Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, Dongxiang, and Salar ethnic groups.

Christianity first came to China in the 7th century, during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE).

Here’s a brief timeline of its major introductions and developments:

7th Century – Nestorian Christianity (Tang dynasty)
- In 635 CE, a missionary named Alopen (probably from Syria or Persia) arrived in the Tang capital Chang’an (modern Xi’an).
- Emperor Taizong welcomed him, and Nestorian Christianity (known in Chinese as Jǐngjiào 景教, “Luminous Religion”) was officially recognized.
- A famous artifact, the Nestorian Stele (781 CE), records this event and shows that the religion had spread across parts of China.
13th–14th Centuries – Catholic Missions (Yuan dynasty)
- During the Mongol Empire, Catholic missionaries such as John of Montecorvino (sent by the Pope) established churches in Beijing (then Dadu) around 1294 CE.
- This was the first significant Roman Catholic presence in China.
16th Century – Jesuit Missions (Ming dynasty)
- The Jesuit missionaries, most notably Matteo Ricci (1552–1610), brought modern science and Christianity to China.
- Ricci gained access to Chinese elites and introduced Western knowledge while translating Christian works into Chinese.
19th Century – Protestant Missions (Qing dynasty)
- After the First Opium War (1839–1842) and the Treaty of Nanjing, Western missionaries gained greater access to China.
- Protestant missionaries like Robert Morrison (the first to translate the Bible into Chinese) spread Christianity widely.
20th–21st Centuries – Modern Era
- Christianity grew significantly in the Republican and modern People’s Republic of China periods, though under varying restrictions.
- Today, there are millions of Christians in China, both in state-sanctioned churches and underground house churches.

Archive 2025-10-09

when did islam come to china

when did christianity come to china