What difficulties do some missionaries face in their work?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

• There are many accounts of the persecution of Christians in China, and many Chinese Christians find it necessary to worship in secret. Many of these groups are non-denominational, but also come from a wide cross section of denominations and can suffer severely if detected. Foreign missionaries may not distribute literature, or preach to Chinese people outside of the government regulated churches in the Catholic Patriotic Association and Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

Answer 2

Indifference is perhaps the major problem for missionaries in China. They began proselyting in China well over a century ago, but have made little headway against the people's present beliefs. The government tolerates, but does not encourage Christianity. There are many fine churches in China, particularly in Macao.
The government, resentful of foreign domination in recent centuries, insists on appointing Roman Catholic bishops, as did the European kings during the Middle Ages. Those who worship in the government-approved Catholic churches face little problem. However, there is an underground system of Catholic churches which rely on Vatican-appointed bishops - those churches meet in secret. Whether that constitutes systemic persecution is arguable.

The Falun Dafu is a banned religious organisation, partly because of its vigorous opposition to the government, and its followers meet in secret. However, this is an indigenous, not missionary-based, religion.