List of Catholic dioceses in China

The Catholic Church in Greater China comprises 152 Latin jurisdictions:

  • 21 ecclesiastical provinces (including one for Taiwan), consisting of 21 metropolitan archdioceses and 101 suffragan dioceses
  • 28 apostolic prefectures
  • 1 exempt diocese, the Diocese of Macau
  • 1 apostolic administration, the Apostolic Administration of Harbin

Furthermore, the Eastern Catholic (Byzantine rite) Russian Greek Catholic Church has an exempt apostolic exarchate for China in Harbin.

There is an apostolic nunciature as papal diplomatic representation (embassy-level) to China, in Taipei, the seat of government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, also charged with mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

The Catholic Church recognizes the Republic of China as the sole government for all of China; nevertheless, it does not recognize all of its territorial claims. In this context, the term "China" is understood as including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan in its 1949 provincial boundaries and mainland China as effectively controlled by the People's Republic of China. Due to the non-recognition of the People's Republic of China, however, the authority of the Taipei-based Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference is effectively limited to the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. The dioceses of Hong Kong (suffragan of Guangzhou) and Macao (exempt) do not belong to that conference. The dioceses of mainland China take part in the Beijing-based Chinese Bishops Conference, which is not recognized by the Holy See.

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