I have been to China, and I believe this. Some evidence is that I have seen protest signs in Hong Kong protesting for more religions freedom. Yes, that is Hong Kong, where things are pretty loose, but there is evidence from deep in China as well. One of my Chinese friends was telling me that at Christmas and Easter, churches sell tickets to attend because there are so many people trying to go to church. They display Christian symbols as well, including things like Christmas trees, Santa Clause. We think of them as materialistic beside the point kind of things, but the symbols are being absorbed by them.
Again to Russia. I was in Moscow when the major decreed all business should decorate for Christmas. Got to love that authoritarian streak and the crass commercialism BUT the contrast to my own country was still sad.
Maybe China and Russia can appreciate what they were denied for so long.