Former U.S. Ambassador: The CCP's Fear of Religious Freedom Far Exceeds That of Nuclear Weapons

On November 20, 2025, Sam Brownback, the former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, was invited as a witness to a hearing on religious freedom organised by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). (Dajiyuan)

[People News] Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, stated, "The Chinese Communist Party's fear of religious freedom far exceeds their fear of American aircraft carriers or nuclear weapons."

Dajiyuan reporter Li Chen, reporting from Washington, D.C., noted that on November 20, Brownback was invited as a witness to a hearing on religious freedom organised by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (CECC). He recommended that the U.S. prioritise religious freedom as a strategic element of national security and make it a central focus of U.S.-China relations. Additionally, he urged the U.S. to classify the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong as a crime against humanity.

Religious freedom is central to U.S.-China relations and is a key consideration in U.S. national security strategy.

In his remarks, Brownback stated, "The CCP is waging war on faith and is also waging war on us, the Americans."

"Religious freedom is the most powerful weapon in our current struggle (the U.S.-China conflict). We must genuinely integrate religious freedom into America's strategic framework.

"It is evident that the CCP's fear of religious freedom far surpasses their fear of our American aircraft carriers or nuclear weapons.

Religious freedom is an urgent priority for U.S. national security. We need to change our perspective from viewing it as 'a human rights issue' to recognising it as 'a national security issue' and clearly classify it as such.

'We must genuinely transform our strategy regarding religious freedom,' he stated, emphasising that this issue is at the 'core' of U.S.-China relations.

Brownback outlined four specific recommendations:

1. Integrate the issue of religious freedom in China into the strategic considerations of U.S. national security regarding China.

2. Formulate a national security strategy that is jointly supported by the U.S. and other nations to advocate for religious freedom within China;

3. Implement economic sanctions similar to the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act to address the actions of the Chinese Communist Party.

4. President Trump, Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Rubio, and Secretary of Defence Esper should meet with the exiled leaders of persecuted groups, including practitioners of Falun Gong, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists.

The Chinese Communist Party is particularly fearful of Falun Gong.

Brownback remarked, 'Among these (religious belief) groups, the Chinese Communist Party is most afraid of Falun Gong.'

'I have often wondered: why is that?

'The answer is that Falun Gong is the most 'localised' group among all. Just like sowing wheat in Kansas soil, it will naturally thrive. They grew to ninety million practitioners in just seven years, which alarmed the Chinese Communist Party.

'Thus, we must truly collaborate with Falun Gong practitioners.'

Falun Gong is a Buddhist practice founded on the principles of 'Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance,' which includes five sets of exercises known for their remarkable health benefits. Prior to 1999, the number of Falun Gong practitioners in mainland China was estimated to be between 70 million and 100 million. On July 20, 1999, former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin ordered a crackdown on Falun Gong, arguing that its principles were incompatible with Communist Party ideology and that the number of practitioners had surpassed that of Party members. This illegal persecution has persisted for 26 years.

The United States should recognise the Chinese Communist Party's actions against Falun Gong as 'genocide.'

Brownback has urged the U.S. government to 'acknowledge that the Chinese Communist Party has committed genocide against Falun Gong.'

He remarked, 'The Chinese Communist Party has consistently sought to eradicate Falun Gong.'

During the 26 years of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party, many Falun Gong practitioners have died, suffered mental breakdowns, or become disabled due to torture while in detention, or have tragically passed away shortly after their release. For instance:

Chen Yan, a 45-year-old Falun Gong practitioner from Benxi City in Liaoning Province, was abducted in July 2024, unjustly sentenced to five years in May 2025, and on November 5, was taken to Liaoning Province Women's Prison; just three days later, on November 8, she was tortured to death at the age of 45.

Zhang Fengxia, a Falun Gong practitioner from the Sartu District of Daqing City in Heilongjiang Province, was kidnapped by local police on August 11, 2025. On August 17, just seven days after her abduction, she was tortured to death in Daqing Second Detention Centre at the age of 52.

Brownback also recommended that U.S. government officials meet with key Falun Gong leaders to support their rights to religious freedom in China and to assist Falun Gong practitioners in their efforts to circumvent China's internet censorship.'

Call for the Release of Jin Mingri and Pastor Wang Yi

In his remarks, Brownback strongly urged the Chinese Communist Party to release detained Christians, including Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Wang Yi of the Qiu Yu Church, and the ten Catholic bishops referenced in an article by Nina Shea, a senior research fellow and director of the Hudson Institute's Centre for Religious Freedom, published on October 17, 2024.

He encouraged the NBA, Hollywood, and major American corporations engaged in business with China to join the movement advocating for the release of prisoners of conscience and human rights lawyers.

On the issue of religious freedom for Tibetans, Brownback asserted that the United States should firmly reject the Chinese Communist Party's claim to have the authority to appoint the next Dalai Lama. △