CHINA has taken extreme measures to wipe out all traces of Christianity in the country, by tearing down posters of Jesus and replacing them with images of President Xi Jinping.

The country’s ruling Communist party has chosen to eradicate the faith amongst its 1.38 billion residents, going as far as banning children from visiting churches.

6 China has replaced images of Christ with images of Xi Jinping Credit: Getty Images - Getty

For the government, China’s Christian community has long been a source of embarrassment, resulting in bans on the Bible and on public displays of the cross.

Church leadership is also required to request approval from the Communist party and even church teachings must now be in line with party ideals.

The crackdown has been mainly imposed in China’s Xinjiang province, on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, with officials saying the region is “not Chinese enough”.

6 China is working to eradicate all traces of Christianity from the country Credit: AP:Associated Press

Churchgoing homeowner disgusted after curry delivery driver caught on CCTV ripping Christian cross from her front door

It has become the primary focus of President Xi’s plans to eradicate “differences” between Chinese communities across the entire country.

He insists that “Chinese characteristics” must be incorporated into all activities, beliefs and traditions; chief among them being unwavering loyalty to the Communist party.

In April, China’s religious affairs department published an article saying that churches must endorse the party’s leadership as part of “Sinicization.”

The article stated: “Only Sinicized churches can obtain God’s love.”

6 Children are not allowed to visit churches anymore under the new rules Credit: AP:Associated Press

6 Photos of the Chinese president have replaced those of Jesus Christ Credit: Reuters

The move is part of Beijing’s “Principle for Promoting Chinese Christianity in China for the Next Five Years (2018-2022)” plan, which details how it will “Sinicize” Christianity within its borders.

Within hours of the declaration, censors moved in to eradicate Christianity.

Bibles were seized and banned, and digital versions can no longer be found online.

Only an officially approved version from the government-sanctioned open church is available.

Images of Christ have already been replaced with posters of President Xi and Christian children are no longer allowed to attend church.

6 Chinese Christians have been forced to worship in secret congregations out of fear Credit: AP:Associated Press

​BBC's Songs of Praise joins Her Majesty The Queen to celebrate 150 years of the Christian charity Scripture Union​

Qi Yan, a member of the township party committee said: “Through our thought reform, they’ve voluntarily done it.

“The move is aimed at Christian families in poverty, and we educated them to believe in science and not in superstition, making them believe in the party.”

One Beijing pastor refuted these claims, saying: “A lot of our flock are terrified by the pressure that the government is putting on them.

“It’s painful to think that in our own country’s capital, we must pay so dearly just to practice our faith.”

Hundreds of small and private churches have been shut down and for those who have resisted, life has already become difficult.

Many of China’s Christian communities have responded in a time-honoured fashion by continuing their congregational worship in secret.

6 China’s ruling Communist party sees Christianity as a Western threat Credit: Getty - Contributor

MOST READ IN NEWS HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker pays customer’s bill after he calls mum to ask for her order Latest COP SLAIN Cop shot dead at police station as he took suspect's temperature in covid checks Latest NATION LOCKED DOWN Cardiff, Swansea, Leeds and Wigan all placed in lockdown SHAMED STAR Disgraced paedo Rolf Harris, 90, seen in scruffy clothes as he walks his dog COP SLAIN Suspect who shot cop dead at station during covid check 'known to terror police' Exclusive HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker who paid for lad’s meal has secretly bought food for MONTHS

Beijing sees Christianity as a Western threat, and its 67 million followers as infected by dangerous Western ideals.

President Xi stated in 2016: “We must resolutely guard against overseas infiltrations via religious means.”

Xi Lian, a scholar of Christianity in China at Duke University said: “Chinese leaders have always been suspicious of the political challenge or threat that Christianity poses to the Communist regimen.

“Under Xi, this fear of Western infiltration has intensified and gained a prominence that we haven’t seen for a long time.”

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.