Astro-Sino philosophy, or Astro-Sino religion, known outside of China as Chinese Astronism, and widely known within China as Tiānwénjiào (Chinese: 天文教; Synotic: Astrojiào), or amongst scholars as Chinese Qǐshì, or colloquially known as Tiānwén Dào (meaning "the Astronist path"), or Kāng Míng Én Dào (meaning "the way of Cometan) refers to the presence of Astronism in the People’s Republic of China. Astronism in China is under exiled management and philosophical jurisdiction of The Institution of the Philosophy of Millettism for the People’s Republic of China, a national subsidiary for the worldwide Astronist Institution. 

The Institution of the Philosophy of Millettism for the People’s Republic of China oversees the construction and maintenance of observatories and planetariums throughout its jurisdiction. China is split into twenty-two provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and is set to hold Grand Observatories in each of those municipalities. 

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History of Astronism in China

Origins

The presence of Astronism in China began early in the religion’s chronology and finds its origins in Cometan’s trip to China in April 2018. Cometan spoke of Astronism in different private conversations with some of the Chinese students participating in the trip by imparting their religious beliefs with each other. 

This took place across the course of Cometan’s trip to Beijing, but the most profound element of the trip was that Cometan became highly inspired by the temples, religious figures and unique systems of practices as part of the Chinese traditional religion known as Shenism. 

Religious freedom

Major concerns have been raised as to the religious freedoms of Astronists in China. Astronism is not currently recognised by the Chinese government which leaves Astronists open to untold amounts of persecution and harassment as is experienced by a number of other unrecognised religious groups. For this reason, the Astronist Institution has designated the situation of religious freedoms for Astronists in China as terminal. 

Data on the number of Astronists in China is not currently accessible, however, estimates from the Astronist Institution have been placed at 500,000. Astronist content is receiving slow translation into Chinese, however, the ability of Astronist content to be accessed by Chinese citizens is extremely difficult. 

Restrictions on viewable online content, particularly religious content, have been increased by the Chinese government and Chinese Astronists' able to access Astronist content has suffered a result. Despite this, Astronism continues to grow as a unrecognised religion in the country.