Very interesting post JWL. Thank you.
I think that the Chinese gov could take such action if they believe they are at risk of being challenged by the growing number of christian churches and followers --knowing the Chinese. But it would be a very bad move, economically, if they did. It is bad for business because they should expect sanctions and retaliation from Christianized western countries and they don't need that in the way of their monstrous economic growth and power. But then again, those in power would know if they are in danger from the christian masses and would have to take the actions they need in spite of the known consequences to China or be put in a position of loosing power. So, it is very possible that the Chinese government would take such action.
IT is hard to say exactly what Chinese Caesar will require from the churches and according to wt theology, the church is in bed with the wild beast anyway so it won't be so much of a problem for the church to comply unless Caesar goes too far and wants to dictate what pope to elect, for example. But if it comes down to survival, the Chinese gov can expect that the churches will compromise.
REgarding JW in this affair, if it comes down to it, it is probabel that wt will send delegates to China and assure the gov that they do not need to fear JW from challenging their government, but not to expect flag salutes, etc.
I think that Chinese JW are especially courageous and won't compromise, maybe under torture, maybe not ,but given the choice of life or death, there will be a great massacre of jw in china. I can't see wt making flag saluting ok, or military service, or political involvement. UNlike the Jews who have the Republic of Israel with nuclear weapons and many other political powers to help them, jws, in spite of their army of lawyers, are helpless because they don't have any military, they do not fight back or retaliate and they do not have any friends in government, specially because they refer to governments and the UN as beasts --God help them or they are doomed and won't survive as a religion.
Does anyone know how JW are getting around military service and flag saluting in China now?