Explained ： New Religious Rules for Foreigners Starting May 1

Source: OT-Team(G)，中国新闻网

  China has revised its rules on foreigners' religious activities, effective May 1.

On April 1, the National Religious Affairs Administration (NRAA) released the newly revised Implementation Rules for the Regulations on Religious Activities of Foreign Nationals within the Territory of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Implementation Rules"), which will take effect on May 1.

Following the release, an NRAA official addressed key questions regarding the necessity and main provisions of the revision.

1. Why was the revision of the Implementation Rules necessary?

The revision is essential for regulating the religious activities of foreign nationals in China. As China continues to expand its openness to the world, the number of foreigners visiting for business, tourism, and family purposes has steadily increased. This has led to a growing demand for participation in religious activities. However, the previous version of the Implementation Rules had certain gaps in ensuring the orderly conduct of collective religious activities by foreign nationals. Meanwhile, some foreign individuals have engaged in illegal proselytizing and unauthorized religious activities, affecting religious harmony and even social stability in China. Religious communities, believers, and some foreign nationals have expressed the need for clearer policies to regulate religious activities conducted by foreigners.

Furthermore, the revision is in line with China's broader goal of strengthening governance in accordance with the law. According to the Administrative Licensing Law, government permits should have clear conditions, authorities, procedures, and timeframes, and should be made publicly accessible. The previous Implementation Rules covered four administrative licensing matters: (1) approval of temporary venues for collective religious activities by foreign nationals, (2) approval for foreign religious organizations and their members outside China's five officially recognized religions to engage with Chinese government agencies or religious circles, (3) approval for foreign nationals to bring religious items into China for cultural and academic exchange, and (4) approval for foreign religious clergy to preach when visiting China under non-religious identities. These needed further standardization. 

Therefore, revising the Implementation Rules was necessary to clarify licensing conditions and ensure lawful administration by religious affairs authorities.

2. How does the revised Implementation Rules protect the religious activities of foreign nationals?

China has consistently respected the religious freedom of foreign nationals within its borders, as outlined in the 1994 Regulations on Religious Activities of Foreign Nationals within the Territory of China. The revised Implementation Rules reaffirm this principle and provide legal safeguards for religious activities of foreigners. Specifically, foreign nationals in China may:

(1)Participate in religious activities at legally registered temples, mosques, and churches.

(2)Hold collective religious activities at these places of worship or at temporary venues approved by authorities.

(3)With the consent of local religious organizations, invite Chinese religious clergy to perform ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, and religious services.

(4)Engage in friendly religious exchanges and academic activities with Chinese religious organizations, seminaries, and places of worship.

(5)Invite foreign religious clergy to preach at temples, mosques, and churches.

(6)Study at Chinese religious seminaries with the consent of relevant religious organizations.

(7)Be hired as foreign experts by Chinese religious seminaries through legal procedures.

3. What are the provisions regarding collective religious activities by foreign nationals?

To facilitate and regulate collective religious activities, the Implementation Rules specify two options for foreign nationals:

Dedicated Sessions at Recognized Places of Worship: If a temple, mosque, or church has the capacity, it may provide designated services for foreign nationals.

Temporary Venues Approved by Authorities: If a place of worship cannot provide such services, foreigners may apply to hold collective religious activities at a government-approved temporary location.

To hold such gatherings, an elected representative of the foreign nationals must submit a written application to the local religious organization at the municipal or prefectural level. The religious organization will review the application and designate a place of worship to host the event. A formal agreement must be signed between the place of worship and the foreign nationals, detailing the schedule, format, frequency, number of participants, security measures, and legal responsibilities.

If no suitable place of worship is available, the local religious organization must provide a written response to the applicants. The foreign nationals may then apply to the provincial-level religious affairs department for approval of a temporary venue. The department will consult relevant local authorities and make a decision within 20 working days. Foreign nationals attending religious activities at temporary venues must comply with Chinese laws and regulations, respect the rights of local residents, and accept oversight by religious affairs authorities.

4. What activities are prohibited for foreign nationals in China?

The Implementation Rules explicitly prohibit foreign nationals from engaging in illegal religious activities in China. They must abide by Chinese laws, respect the principle of religious independence and self-governance, and accept government oversight. The following activities are strictly prohibited:

(1)Interfering in the affairs of Chinese religious organizations, seminaries, and places of worship, including the selection and management of clergy.

(2)Establishing religious organizations, offices, seminaries, or places of worship.

(3)Promoting religious extremism, funding extremist activities, or using religion to undermine national unity, ethnic harmony, or social stability.

(4)Preaching or holding collective religious activities without official approval.

(5)Recruiting Chinese citizens as religious followers or appointing clergy.

(6)Using religion to obstruct China's legal, educational, marital, or social management systems.

(7)Producing, distributing, or selling religious publications, audio-visual materials, and electronic religious content.

(8)Accepting religious donations from Chinese organizations or individuals.

(9)Organizing religious education and training programs.

(10)Using the internet to conduct illegal religious activities.

(11)Engaging in other unlawful religious activities.

For the full text of the policy in Chinese, please see:

https://www.sara.gov.cn/static/content/ywdt/qtyw/2025-04-01/1356550603266883584.html