China Revives Propaganda Film Accusing Magazine of Cult Promotion

A state-operated entity in China has reignited its propaganda campaign against the Italy-based magazine Bitter Winter and its parent organization, the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), with the re-launch of a film alleging their promotion of prohibited cult movements. This initiative is spearheaded by the China Anti-Xie-Jiao Association, an entity dedicated to anti-cult activities. Their film, titled “The Bitter Winter of Belief: Sneaking Cults,” has been disseminated across China since late December, as reported by Bitter Winter on January 1.

This cinematic piece initially premiered in Brussels last June and has been showcased throughout China starting December 20. It casts Bitter Winter and CESNUR as endorsers of cults outlawed by the Chinese government, notably the Church of Almighty God (CAG). Massimo Introvigne, the head of CESNUR, vehemently criticized the film, labeling it as the “dumbest anti-cult movie ever made” by China’s communist regime, filled with “bizarre lies.” He argued that the film’s accusations were compiled haphazardly, lacking credible sources and rational structuring.

The documentary, directed by Russian filmmaker Natalia Bashirian, was initially introduced in Brussels by Roland Delcourt, who Introvigne described as “a notorious Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fellow traveler.” The film, however, failed to sustain attention and was “deservedly forgotten,” prompting the China Anti-Xie-Jiao Association to reinitiate its circulation. Despite the allegations, Introvigne refuted the notion that Bitter Winter primarily focuses on the CAG.

The CAG, also known as Eastern Lightning, is deemed a radical fringe entity by mainstream Christian organizations. Originating in 1991, it boasts a membership of 3-4 million in China and espouses the belief that Jesus has reincarnated as a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin, who currently leads the church alongside her partner Zhao Weishan from New York City. The movement has faced accusations of employing illicit recruitment methods, including kidnappings, and has openly opposed the atheist CCP, leading to its ban and the subsequent imprisonment and torture of numerous members.

Bitter Winter, through its reporting, has highlighted the plight of persecuted religious groups in China, including the CAG and Falun Gong. According to Introvigne, despite the wide coverage of various issues, only a minor fraction of their articles in 2022 and 2023 focused on the CAG. Their journalism underscores China’s status as one of the foremost violators of religious freedom globally.

This revival of the propaganda film coincides with increased scrutiny from international rights organizations. The US-based ChinaAid, in its Annual Persecution Report 2022, condemned the Chinese government for its extensive persecution of both registered and unregistered religious entities. This encompasses a range of tactics from sinicization and educational reforms to broad-scale rights abuses, amplified by strict legal frameworks. The report also noted the demolition of Christian churches and worship sites across various provinces throughout 2022 as part of the CCP’s efforts to suppress Christian practices in the country.

The re-launch of “The Bitter Winter of Belief: Sneaking Cults” signifies a continued effort by the Chinese government to control religious narratives and suppress dissenting voices, reflecting broader themes of religious persecution and the struggle for religious freedom within the nation.