Chinese influence leads to disinvitation of speaker at Texas religious conference

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has reported that a U.S.-based Catholic organization disinvited a speaker from a religious conference in Houston, Texas, following direct pressure from Chinese officials.

The U.S.-China Catholic Association (USCCA) had originally invited Fenggang Yang, a Purdue University professor and director of the Center on Religion and the Global East, to speak at its summer 2026 conference at the University of St. Thomas. Yang, whose academic work involves the state regulation of religion, was reportedly targeted by Chinese power structures due to his research and statements in the United States.

FIRE noted that while the First Amendment protects expression within the U.S., it does not necessarily shield domestic organizations from the influence or censorship attempts of foreign powers.