The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) is the national organization for Catholicism in the People's Republic of China. It was established in 1957 after a group of Chinese Catholics met in Beijing with officials from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Religious Affairs Bureau. It is the main organizational body of Catholics in China officially sanctioned by the Chinese government. The organization is controlled by the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party following the State Administration for Religious Affairs' absorption into the UFWD in 2018.
Since the papacy of John Paul II, the Holy See has pursued reconciliation between the CCPA and underground Catholics who refuse to recognize the organization. According to the Inquirer, the Vatican has been trying "to preserve its communion with China's Patriotic Catholic Church and to protect the faithful who had recently emerged from the underground". The CCPA is in conflict with the Vatican over the appointment of bishops without the approval of the Holy See. At times, both sides reach an agreement - Pope Francis stated that "Chinese Catholics joining the CCPA should not be seen as disloyal to the Vatican" and recognized all bishops appointed by the CCPA and revoked their previous de facto excommunication, and CCPA cancelled a planned ordination of candidates not approved by the Holy See. However, breaches of the agreement occur.