Detailed Implementing Rules for Certain Administrative Licensing Items in Religious Affairs
Item 6: Approval of Large-Scale Religious Activities
1. Basis for the Administrative License
Article 22 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
2. Conditions for the Administrative License
1. The content of the proposed large-scale religious activity conforms to the provisions of national laws and regulations and to religious rituals and traditional religious customs;
2. The proposed large-scale religious activity will not seriously affect road traffic safety and order or public order;
3. There is a genuine need to hold the large-scale religious activity, and the organizer has the capacity and the necessary conditions to organize it;
4. The buildings, facilities, and grounds of the venue where the large-scale religious activity is to be held meet safety requirements;
5. The proposed large-scale religious activity has a responsible unit and a responsible person, with clearly defined safety responsibilities and effective measures;
6. The religious body or the Buddhist monastery, Taoist temple, mosque, or church (hereinafter “monasteries, temples, mosques, and churches”) proposing to hold the large-scale religious activity has no record of adverse safety incidents in large-scale activities it has held within the past three years;
7. Where prior approval by the relevant government departments is required under relevant national provisions, such approval has been obtained.
3. Application Materials for the Administrative License
1. A letter of application, including the purpose, content, location (route), start and end times, responsible unit and responsible person of the activity, the number of participants, and the regional composition of the participants;
2. A safety work plan, including the safety organization system, the number of safety personnel and their duties, fire safety measures for the venue’s buildings and facilities, vehicle parking and traffic guidance measures, measures for maintaining order on site and guiding crowds, and emergency measures for sudden incidents or accidents;
3. A statement of conformity with religious rituals and traditional religious customs;
4. A statement and letter of commitment from the responsible unit and responsible person concerning the second, third, and fourth of the licensing conditions above;
5. Safety appraisal documents issued by the relevant departments for the venue buildings and facilities to be used for the large-scale religious activity;
6. The approval documents of the relevant government departments stipulated in the seventh of the licensing conditions above;
7. Other materials (where a venue other than a venue for religious activities is to be used, proof of consent from the provider of the venue shall be submitted; where the venue provider has a competent administrative department, the opinion of that department shall be submitted).
4. Procedure for the Administrative License
1. The religious body, monastery, temple, mosque, or church holding the activity files an application with the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government where the activity is to be held, 30 days before the proposed date of the activity.
2. After accepting the application, the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government shall hear the opinions of the religious affairs departments of the people’s governments of the districted city and the county where the activity is to be held, and make a licensing decision.
Where religious organizations or individuals from outside China are invited to take part, the relevant procedures shall also be completed in accordance with relevant national provisions.
5. Time Limit for Processing the Administrative License
The religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government shall make the licensing decision within 15 days of accepting the application.