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