New Rules on Religious Activities of Foreigners to Take Effect May 1
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*Note: This English translation is provided for reference only. In case of any discrepancies, the original Chinese text shall prevail.
Recently, the State Administration for Religious Affairs issued Order No. 23, which publishes the newly revised "Implementation Rules for the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China," effective May 1, 2025.
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Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Implementation Rules are formulated in accordance with the "Administrative Provisions on Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China" and other relevant regulations.
Article 2 "Foreigners" in these Rules refer to persons who do not possess Chinese nationality in accordance with the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 3 "Religious activities of foreigners within China" refer to activities where foreigners conduct or participate in religious ceremonies according to their beliefs within China, as well as engage in religious exchanges with Chinese religious groups, institutions, sites, and personnel.
Article 4 China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within its territory and legally protects their religious activities. It also protects their friendly exchanges and cultural academic exchanges with the Chinese religious community.
Article 5 Foreigners conducting religious activities within China shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations, respect the principle of independence and self-governance of Chinese religions, and accept administration by the Chinese government. They must not use religion to harm China's national interests, public interests, or citizens' lawful rights and interests, nor violate public order and good customs in China.
Chapter II Group Religious Activities
Article 6 Group religious activities by foreigners within China shall be conducted at legally registered religious activity sites (temples, monasteries, mosques, churches, collectively referred to as religious sites) with exclusive services provided by these sites. If such service is unavailable, activities may be held at temporary locations approved by the provincial religious affairs department.
"Group religious activities of foreigners" refer to religious activities organized by and involving a certain number of foreigners, excluding cases described in Article 19.
"The certain number" is determined by provincial religious affairs departments.
Article 7 To apply for group religious activities or a temporary location, foreigners shall elect three or more initiators. Initiators must legally reside in China, have no anti-China behavior or bad record, and be capable of legal responsibility. Diplomats and consular personnel, or foreigners with privileges and immunities, may not serve as initiators.
Article 8 Initiators shall submit a written application to the religious group at the city (prefecture) level where the religious site is located. The religious group will designate a site for exclusive service and report to the city-level religious affairs department for record. If a site cannot provide the service, a written reply shall be issued, and the initiators may apply for a temporary location as per these Rules.
Article 9 Religious sites providing exclusive services must sign an agreement with initiators, clarifying schedules, methods, number of activities, participants, safety measures, rights, obligations, and legal liabilities. A copy of the agreement and initiators' details shall be submitted to the city-level religious affairs department within 10 days.
Article 10 Group religious activities shall be presided over by Chinese religious personnel arranged by the site. If a foreigner must preside, it shall be reported to the city-level religious affairs department for record.
Article 11 Conditions for a temporary location:
(1) Activities shall not disturb surrounding units or residents and shall accept supervision;
(2) Legal use rights of the premises;
(3) Premises must comply with planning, construction, fire, and safety laws and be suitable for group religious activities.
Article 12 Applications for temporary locations must include:
(1) Written reply stating the religious site cannot provide service;
(2) Main scriptures and a summary of the religion;
(3) Names, nationalities, residence, valid visa/residence permits of participants;
(4) A letter of commitment by initiators;
(5) Originals and copies of initiators' passports and residence permits;
(6) Details of presiding personnel, schedule, methods, frequency, participants, and safety;
(7) Legal use and compliance materials of the premises.
All materials (except scriptures) must be in Chinese. Authorities must protect personal privacy in the materials. The commitment must pledge supervision, compliance with laws, non-disturbance, and no religious symbols outside the premises. All initiators must sign the commitment. The application form template is provided by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Article 13 Provincial religious affairs departments shall seek opinions from local county, city, and provincial religious groups and decide within 20 working days. Generally, only one temporary location is approved per county for same-religion, same-language group activities. The approval is valid for up to two years. Reapplication is needed 30 days before expiry.
Local county religious affairs departments shall manage religious activities at temporary locations.
Article 14 At least one initiator must manage on-site activities. Participant numbers must not exceed the approved number.
Article 15 If Chinese religious personnel are needed to preside at a temporary location, initiators shall apply to the local religious group, which will arrange appropriate personnel.
Article 16 Except for the presiding Chinese personnel, only foreigners may participate in such group religious activities.
Article 17 If any violations occur, the religious site or premises provider must report to the religious affairs department or relevant authorities.
Article 18 Changes to initiators, schedule, methods, or participant number must be applied for 30 days in advance to the provincial religious affairs department.
Article 19 Foreigners may invite Chinese religious personnel, with the local religious group's consent, to conduct religious ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, and rituals.
Chapter III Religious Exchanges
Article 20 Foreigners within China engaging in religious-friendly exchanges and academic or cultural communication with Chinese religious groups, institutions, and sites must do so via national or provincial-level religious groups.
Article 21 Foreign religious personnel entering China in their religious capacity may give sermons at religious sites if invited by national or provincial-level religious groups. Those entering under other statuses may also give sermons, with prior approval from the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the provincial religious affairs department.
Invitees must:
(1) Abide by Chinese laws and respect religious self-governance;
(2) Have no anti-China conduct or extremist ideologies;
(3) Ensure sermon content does not contravene laws or interfere in Chinese religious affairs or public customs.
Article 22 National or provincial religious groups must submit the following to obtain approval:
(1) Application with reasons and religious site details;
(2) Background and proposed sermon topics of the invitee;
(3) Consent from the religious site.
Approval decisions must be made within 20 working days.
Article 23 For religious academic exchange, foreigners bringing religious publications or materials exceeding personal use must:
(1) Ensure items don't violate China's laws or independence principles;
(2) Deliver them to recognized religious institutions;
(3) Match exchange project needs;
(4) Have approval from national or provincial religious groups.
Limits: Up to 10 books or 3 sets of materials. No unauthorized religious promotional items are allowed.
Article 24 Receiving institutions must apply to provincial authorities and provide:
(1) Application with exchange and item details;
(2) Project or agreement text;
(3) Written approval from relevant religious groups.
Applications by national-level institutions go to the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Article 25 Approved items must be declared at customs with the official approval document.
Article 26 Foreign organizations/persons recruiting students for religious training must do so through designated national or provincial religious groups. Unauthorized recruitment is prohibited. Religious studies require prior approval.
Article 27 Foreigners may be employed as foreign faculty by religious schools through legal procedures.
Article 28 Foreign religious organizations without corresponding Chinese counterparts may interact with Chinese authorities only if:
(1) They are friendly to China;
(2) They are legally established abroad;
(3) They have a clean record;
(4) Activities don't violate Chinese law.
Applications must include:
(1) Purpose, schedule, location, and participants;
(2) Organization and member background;
(3) Details of the Chinese host.
Approval decisions are due within 20 working days
.
Article 29 Foreigners are prohibited from:
(1) Interfering in Chinese religious organizations or personnel;
(2) Establishing religious organizations or schools;
(3) Promoting extremism or undermining unity;
(4) Preaching or organizing group activities without permission;
(5) Proselytizing or appointing clergy among Chinese citizens;
(6) Obstructing state systems via religion;
(7) Producing or distributing religious publications or media;
(8) Accepting religious donations from Chinese citizens or groups;
(9) Organizing religious training;
(10) Conducting illegal online religious activities;
(11) Engaging in other unlawful religious acts.
Chapter IV Legal Responsibilities
Article 30 Officials abusing power or engaging in malpractice shall be disciplined. Criminal acts will be prosecuted.
Article 31 Unauthorized temporary group activities shall be handled under Article 69(2) of the Religious Affairs Regulations.
Article 32 Violations of these Rules or commitments at religious sites or temporary locations shall result in correction orders. Responsible initiators may be replaced. Sites may lose service privileges.
Article 33 Violating religious groups or personnel shall be dealt with under Articles 65 and 73 of the Religious Affairs Regulations.
Article 34 Those facilitating unlawful religious acts shall be penalized under Article 71.
Article 35 Other violations shall be handled under the Administrative Provisions and Religious Affairs Regulations. Criminal acts are subject to prosecution.
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Article 36 In municipalities, the responsibilities of district-level religious groups and authorities substitute for those of city-level bodies.
Article 37 Where county-level groups are absent, duties are fulfilled by city, provincial, or national religious groups.
Article 38 These Rules take effect from May 1, 2025.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XkAbzZXdPovu_5oiAMknzw
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