Reminder: According to Article 5 of Item 3 of the Administrative Regulations for International Students of Dalian Maritime University: "The University respects the customs and religious beliefs of international students, but does not provide venues for religious ceremonies. Activities such as religious preaching, religious gatherings, and political gatherings are strictly prohibited on campus.
Recently, Order No. 23 of the National Religious Affairs Administration announced the newly revised Rules for the Implementation of the Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners, which will come into force on May 1, 2025. The revision and implementation of the Detailed Rules for Implementation are of great significance to the in-depth implementation of the Regulations on Religious Affairs, the protection of the normal religious activities of foreigners in China, and the friendly exchanges between foreigners in China and the religious community in China, and the improvement of the institutionalization and standardization of the management of religious activities of foreigners in China.
The Rules have 5 chapters and 38 articles, further improving the management system of religious activities of foreigners in China. It is stipulated that foreigners in China can participate in religious activities in legally registered temples and churches, can hold collective religious activities in temples and churches or approved temporary places, and can invite Chinese religious clergy to hold baptisms, weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies such as ashram and religious assemblies for them. It stipulates the specific requirements and application procedures for foreigners in China to apply for holding collective religious activities in temples and churches, as well as the conditions, materials and approval of administrative licensing matters such as the establishment of temporary sites. It is stipulated that foreigners within the territory of China should abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules when conducting religious activities, respect the principle of independence and autonomy of Chinese religions, accept the management of the Chinese government according to law, and should not use religion to harm China's national interests, social and public interests and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, and should not violate China's public order and customs.
The full text of the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory is as follows.
Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 These Rules are formulated in accordance with the relevant provisions such as the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of China.
Article 2 Foreigners mentioned 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 The religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China as mentioned in these Rules refer to activities in which foreigners hold or participate in religious ceremonies in accordance with their religious beliefs within the territory of China, as well as religious exchanges with Chinese religious organizations, religious institutions, places for religious activities and religious staff.
Article 4 China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within its territory and protects the religious activities of foreigners within its territory according to law.
China protects in accordance with the law the friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges between foreigners in China and the Chinese religious circles in the religious field.
Article 5 In conducting religious activities, foreigners within the territory of China shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules, respect the principle of Chinese religious independence and autonomy, and accept the administration of the Chinese government according to law; Religion shall not be used to harm China's national interests, social public interests, and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, and shall not violate China's public order and customs.
Chapter 2: Collective Religious Activities
Article 6 Collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China shall be conducted in temples, palaces, mosques and churches (hereinafter referred to as temple churches) that are registered as places for religious activities according to law, and temple churches shall provide specialized services; If a temple or church is unable to provide specialized services, it may be held at a temporary place for foreigners' collective religious activities (hereinafter referred to as the temporary place) approved by the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government.
The term "collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China" as mentioned in the present Rules refers to religious activities organized by foreigners within the territory of China and attended by a certain number of foreigners, excluding the circumstances specified in Article 19 of the present Rules.
The certain quantity specified in the preceding paragraph shall be determined by the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government.
Article 7 When foreigners in China apply for holding collective religious activities in temples and churches or for setting up temporary sites, they shall elect three or more conveners.
The convener shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, have no hostile words or actions towards China, have no negative records, be able to bear corresponding legal responsibilities, and legally reside in China.
Personnel of foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in China and other foreigners enjoying privileges and immunities shall not act as conveners.
Article 8 If a foreigner within the territory of China intends to hold a collective religious activity in a temple or church, the convener shall submit a written application to a religious organization in the local city (prefecture, league).
Religious organizations in local cities (prefecture, league) shall, according to the application and the situation of local monasteries and churches, determine the monasteries and churches that provide specialized services for the collective religious activities of foreigners in China, and report to the religious affairs department of the municipal people's government for the record. If a temple or church does not have the conditions to provide specialized services, the religious organization of the city (prefecture, league) shall provide a written response to the convener. The convener may apply for the establishment of a temporary location in accordance with the provisions of these implementation rules.
Article 9 The monasteries and churches that provide specialized services for the collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China shall sign an agreement with the convener to clarify the time arrangement, activity mode, activity frequency, number of participants, safety measures, rights and obligations of both parties, legal responsibilities and other matters of the collective religious activities, and report the text of the agreement and the relevant information of the convener to the religious affairs department of the municipal people's government for the record within 10 days from the date of signing the agreement.
Article 10 When foreigners in China hold collective religious activities in a temple or church, the temple or church shall arrange Chinese religious staff to preside over them; If it is really necessary for foreigners to preside over religious activities, the temple or church shall report to the religious affairs department of the people's government of the city where it is located for the record.
Article 11 To apply for the establishment of a temporary location, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The activities planned to be carried out at the temporary location shall not hinder the normal production, study, and life of surrounding units and residents, and shall be subject to the management of the local religious affairs department;
(2) Have the right to use the building facilities intended as temporary locations;
(3) The building facilities intended as temporary locations comply with laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire safety, and building safety, and are suitable for collective religious activities.
Article 12 To apply for the establishment of a temporary place, the convener shall fill in an application form for a temporary place for collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China, and at the same time submit the following materials to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government where the application for the establishment of a temporary place is located:
(1) A written response from a religious group in the city (prefecture, league) that the temple, or church does not have the conditions to provide specialized services;
(2) The main scriptures of the religion one believes in and an explanation of the basic situation of the religion;
(3) Description of the name, nationality, current residence, valid Chinese visa or residence permit of the foreigners who plans to participate in collective religious activities;
(4) Commitment letter from the convener;
(5) Original and photocopy of the convener's passport and residence permit;
(6) An explanation of the personnel to be in charge of collective religious activities, including the schedule, methods, frequency, number of participants, and safety measures for the activities;
(7) Effective materials with the right to use the building facilities intended as temporary locations, as well as materials that comply with laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire protection, and building safety.
The materials required to be submitted in the preceding paragraph, except for the main scriptures of the religion in the second item, shall be in Chinese. Religious affairs departments shall protect personal privacy information in materials in accordance with the law.
In the letter of commitment in item (4), the convener shall promise to do a good job in the supervision and management of collective religious activities in the temporary location, urge foreigners participating in the activities to abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules, do not hinder the normal production, study and life of surrounding units and residents, accept the management of the local religious affairs department, and do not set up religious signs outside the temporary location. All conveners should sign the commitment letter.
The application form for temporary sites for collective religious activities of foreigners in China shall be made by the National Religious Affairs Administration.
Article 13 After receiving the application materials for establishing a temporary location, the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government shall solicit opinions from the religious affairs department of the county-level people's government, prefecture level people's government, and the religious groups of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government. A decision on approval or disapproval shall be made within 20 working days from the date of acceptance of the application.
Within the county-level administrative region, only one temporary location is generally approved for collective religious activities that follow the same religion and use the same language.
The maximum validity period for temporary locations is two years. If it is still necessary to hold collective religious activities at the temporary location after the expiration, a new application shall be made in accordance with Article 12 of these Implementation Rules 30 days before the expiration.
When foreigners in China hold collective religious activities in temporary places, the religious affairs department of the local people's government at the county level shall be responsible for the administration.
Article 14 Collective religious activities at temporary locations shall be managed by at least one convener on site.
The convener shall strengthen the safety management of collective religious activities at temporary locations, and the number of participants shall not exceed the number of participants specified in the approval documents of the temporary location.
Article 15 If it is necessary to invite Chinese religious clergy to preside over collective religious activities at temporary locations, the convener shall propose to the religious organization of the city (prefecture, league) where the temporary location is located, and the religious organization shall arrange suitable religious clergy to preside over it.
Article 16 Collective religious activities held by foreigners within the territory of China shall be limited to foreigners within the territory of China, with the exception of Chinese religious staff who are arranged or invited to preside over religious activities in accordance with the provisions of these Rules.
Article 17 If the provider of temples, churches and temporary sites that provide specialized services for the collective religious activities of foreigners in China finds that the collective religious activities of foreigners in China violate Chinese laws, regulations and rules, it shall report to the local religious affairs department or other relevant departments in a timely manner.
Article 18 If the convener, schedule, activity mode, or number of participants of a temporary location need to be changed, an application for change shall be submitted to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government and relevant materials shall be submitted 30 days before the proposed change.
Article 19 With the consent of the local religious organizations, foreigners within the territory of China may invite Chinese religious staff to hold baptisms, weddings, funerals, ashram, religious assemblies and other religious ceremonies for them in accordance with religious customs.
Chapter 3 Religious Communication
Article 20 Friendly religious exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges between foreigners within the territory of China and Chinese religious organizations, religious institutions and places of religious activities shall be conducted through national religious organizations or religious organizations of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.
Article 21 Foreign religious personnel who enter China as religious personnel may, upon invitation from national religious organizations or religious organizations of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, can preach in temples and churches.
Foreign religious personnel entering the country under other identities, upon invitation from national religious groups or religious groups in provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, and with the consent of the National Religious Affairs Administration or the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government, may preach in temples and churches.
The invitee shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, respect the principle of religious independence and self-reliance in China, have no hostile words or actions towards China, and have no religious extremist ideological tendencies;
(2) The content to be taught does not violate Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, does not interfere with China's religious affairs, and does not violate China's public order and good customs.
Article 22 Foreign religious personnel who enter the country in other capacities and intend to preach in temples and churches shall submit the following application materials to the National Religious Affairs Administration or the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government, respectively, by national religious groups or religious groups of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government:
(1) Application form, including the reasons for the invitation and the situation of the temple, and church where the planned preaching will be arranged;
(2) The background information, religious status, entry status, and main content to be taught of the invited person;
(3) Written consent materials from the temple, or church that intends to arrange lectures and sermons.
The National Religious Affairs Administration and the religious affairs departments of provincial people's governments shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 20 working days from the date of acceptance of the application.
Article 23 Foreigners who engage in religious, cultural and academic exchanges with Chinese religious organizations, religious institutions and religious venues and bring into China religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles in reasonable quantities beyond their own use shall meet the following conditions:
(1) The religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious supplies carried do not contain any content that endangers China's national security, harms social public interests, or violates the principle of China's religious independence and self-reliance;
(2) The receiving units for religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious supplies are religious groups, religious schools, or religious activity venues;
(3) The religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious supplies carried meet the requirements of religious cultural and academic exchange projects or agreements;
(4) With the consent of national religious groups or religious groups in provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government.
The scope of self use and reasonable quantity of religious printed materials and religious audio-visual products refers to publications issued in single volume editions of no more than ten copies per person per time, and publications issued in sets of no more than three sets per person per time. The scope of self use and reasonable quantity of other religious supplies refers to three basic units or less for each type.
Disposable religious printed materials and religious audiovisual products are prohibited from entering the country.
Article 24 If foreigners bring into the country religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles in reasonable quantities beyond their own use, the receiving unit shall apply to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government where they are located and submit the following materials:
(1) An application, including the introduction of the foreigner and religious, cultural and academic exchanges, as well as the catalogue, samples, quantity and use of religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles carried by him/her;
(2) Text of religious, cultural, and academic exchange programs or agreements;
(3) Written materials approved by national religious groups or religious groups in provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government.
If the receiving unit is a national religious group and its established religious colleges, the national religious group shall submit the application materials to the National Religious Affairs Administration.
The National Religious Affairs Administration and the religious affairs departments of provincial people's governments shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 20 working days from the date of acceptance of the application.
Article 25 When foreigners are approved to bring into the country religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles in reasonable quantities beyond their own use, they shall declare to the Customs, which shall examine and release them on the strength of the approval documents issued by the National Religious Affairs Administration or the religious affairs department of the people's government at the provincial level.
Article 26 Foreign organizations or individuals recruiting overseas students for the purpose of cultivating religious clergy within the territory of China shall be arranged and selected by national religious organizations or religious organizations of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government as needed.
Foreign organizations or individuals are not allowed to recruit overseas students within China for the purpose of training religious clergy without authorization .
Foreigners who wish to study in religious institutions in China should obtain the consent of national religious organizations or religious organizations of provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government.
Article 27 Foreigners employed by Chinese religious institutions in accordance with legal procedures may serve as foreign professionals to give lectures in religious institutions.
Article 28 Foreign religious organizations and their members who do not have corresponding legal Chinese religious organizations within the territory of China shall meet the following conditions when interacting with Chinese government departments or religious groups, religious schools, religious activity venues, etc.:
(1) Friendly towards China;
(2) Having legal status or identity in the country (region) where it is located;
(3) No adverse records;
(4) Respect the principle of independent and self managed religious activities in China, and the planned exchange activities within China shall not violate Chinese laws, regulations, and rules.
Chinese units shall apply to the National Religious Affairs Administration and submit the following materials:
(1) Application form, including the purpose, matters, time, location, and number of people involved in the interaction;
(2) Foreign religious organizations and their members, basic information about the religion, and an explanation that the foreign religious organizations and their members meet the conditions listed in the preceding paragraph;
(3) Basic information of Chinese units and main participants.
The National Religious Affairs Administration shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 20 working days from the date of acceptance of the application.
Article 29 Foreigners within the territory of China shall not engage in the following religious activities:
(1) Interfering and dominating the affairs of Chinese religious groups, religious schools, and religious activity venues, and interfering with the recognition and management of religious clergy;
(2) Establishing religious organizations, setting up religious offices, religious activity venues, or religious schools;
(3) Promote religious extremism, support and fund religious extremism and illegal religious activities, and use religion to undermine China's national unity, ethnic solidarity, religious harmony, and social stability;
(4) Engaging in unauthorized preaching, or collective religious activities;
(5) Developing religious followers and appointing religious clergies among Chinese citizens ;
(6) Using religion to obstruct the implementation of China's judicial, educational, marital, and social management systems;
(7) Produce or sell religious books, religious audiovisual products, religious electronic publications and other religious supplies, and distribute religious propaganda materials;
(8) Accept religious donations from Chinese organizations and citizens;
(9) Organize religious education and training;
(10) Using the Internet to carry out illegal religious activities;
(11) Other illegal activities related to religion.
Chapter 4 Legal Liability
Article 30 If a public official abuses his power, neglects his duty or engages in malpractices for personal gain in the administration of religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China and should be punished, he shall be punished according to law; Those who commit crimes shall be held criminally responsible in accordance with the law.
Article 31 Foreigners within the territory of China who set up temporary places to hold collective religious activities without authorization shall be dealt with in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 69 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 32 If foreigners within the territory of China hold collective religious activities in temples, churches or temporary places in violation of the provisions of these Rules or the contents of the letter of commitment, the religious affairs department shall order them to make corrections, and if the convener is responsible, order them to replace the convener; If the circumstances are serious, the temple or church shall be ordered to stop providing specialized services for foreigners' collective religious activities or to stop activities in temporary places.
Article 33 Chinese religious groups, religious schools, and religious activity venues that violate the provisions of these Implementation Rules shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 65 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Chinese religious personnel who violate the provisions of these implementation rules shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 73 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 34 Those who provide conditions for illegal religious activities of foreigners in China shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 71 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 35 Those who violate other provisions of these Rules shall be dealt with by the religious affairs department and other relevant departments in accordance with the Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory and the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Those who violate the provisions of this implementation rule and also violate other laws and regulations shall be dealt with by relevant departments in accordance with the law; Those who commit crimes shall be held criminally responsible in accordance with the law.
Chapter 5 Supplementary Provisions
Article 36 Within the administrative area of a municipality directly under the Central Government, the responsibilities of religious groups in cities (prefectures, leagues) as stipulated in these Implementation Rules shall be fulfilled by religious groups in the municipality directly under the Central Government; The responsibilities of the religious affairs departments of county-level people's governments and district level people's governments shall be fulfilled by the religious affairs departments of the people's governments of the municipalities directly under the central government (counties).
Article 37 If there are no relevant religious groups in a county (city, district), the corresponding responsibilities stipulated in these implementation rules shall be fulfilled by the religious groups in the city (prefecture, league).
If there is no relevant religious group in a city (prefecture, league) or a district (county) directly under the central government, the corresponding responsibilities shall be fulfilled by religious groups in the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government.
If there are no relevant religious groups in provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the central government, the corresponding responsibilities shall be fulfilled by national religious groups.
Article 38 These Implementation Rules shall come into effect on May 1, 2025.
