Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 These Detailed Rules are formulated in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners Within the People’s Republic of China and other relevant provisions.
Article 2 “Foreigners,” as used in these Detailed Rules, means persons who do not hold Chinese nationality under the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Article 3 “Religious activities of foreigners within China,” as used in these Detailed Rules, means the holding of or participation in religious ceremonies by foreigners within China in accordance with their religious beliefs, as well as religious contacts and exchanges with Chinese religious bodies, religious schools, venues for religious activities, and religious clergy.
Article 4 China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within China and protects the religious activities of foreigners within China according to law.
China protects according to law friendly contacts and cultural and academic exchanges in religious matters between foreigners within China and the Chinese religious community.
Article 5 Foreigners carrying out religious activities within China shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, respect the principle that religions in China are independent and self-governing, and accept the administration of the Chinese government according to law; they must not use religion to harm China’s national interests, the public interest, or the lawful rights and interests of citizens, and must not act contrary to China’s public order and good customs.
Chapter 2 Collective Religious Activities
Article 6 Collective religious activities of foreigners within China shall be carried out at Buddhist monasteries, Taoist temples, mosques, or churches lawfully registered as venues for religious activities (hereinafter “monasteries, temples, mosques, and churches”), which provide dedicated services for them; where the monastery, temple, mosque, or church is unable to provide dedicated services, they may be carried out at a temporary venue for collective religious activities of foreigners approved by the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government (hereinafter “temporary venue”).
“Collective religious activities of foreigners within China,” as used in these Detailed Rules, means religious activities organized by foreigners within China and attended by a certain number of foreigners, excluding the circumstances provided for in Article 19 of these Detailed Rules.
The certain number referred to in the preceding paragraph is determined by the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government.
Article 7 Foreigners within China applying to hold collective religious activities at a monastery, temple, mosque, or church, or applying to establish a temporary venue, shall elect three or more conveners. Conveners shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, have no words or deeds hostile to China, have no adverse record, be able to bear the corresponding legal liability, and reside lawfully within China.
Personnel of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts in China and other foreigners enjoying privileges and immunities may not serve as conveners.
Article 8 Where foreigners within China intend to hold collective religious activities at a monastery, temple, mosque, or church, the conveners shall submit a written application to the religious body of the local districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league).
The religious body of the districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) shall, on the basis of the application and the circumstances of local monasteries, temples, mosques, and churches, designate a monastery, temple, mosque, or church to provide dedicated services for the collective religious activities of foreigners within China, and file this with the religious affairs department of the people’s government of the districted city. Where no monastery, temple, mosque, or church is in a position to provide dedicated services, the religious body of the districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) shall reply to the conveners in writing. The conveners may then apply to establish a temporary venue in accordance with these Detailed Rules.
Article 9 A monastery, temple, mosque, or church providing dedicated services for the collective religious activities of foreigners within China shall sign an agreement with the conveners specifying the schedule, form, frequency, and number of participants of the collective religious activities, safety measures, the rights and obligations of both parties, legal liability, and other matters, and shall, within ten days of the signing of the agreement, file the text of the agreement and relevant information on the conveners with the religious affairs department of the people’s government of the local districted city.
Article 10 Collective religious activities held by foreigners within China at a monastery, temple, mosque, or church shall be presided over by Chinese religious clergy arranged by that monastery, temple, mosque, or church; where it is truly necessary for a foreigner to preside over the religious activities, the monastery, temple, mosque, or church shall file this with the religious affairs department of the people’s government of the local districted city.
Article 11 An application to establish a temporary venue shall meet the following conditions:
(1) The activities to be carried out at the temporary venue will not hinder the normal production, study, and life of surrounding units and residents, and will accept the administration of the local religious affairs department;
(2) The applicants have the right to use the buildings and facilities to serve as the temporary venue;
(3) The buildings and facilities to serve as the temporary venue comply with laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire protection, building safety, and so on, and are suitable for collective religious activities.
Article 12 To apply to establish a temporary venue, the conveners shall complete the application form for a temporary venue for collective religious activities of foreigners within China and at the same time submit the following materials to the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government where the temporary venue is to be established:
(1) The written reply issued by the religious body of the districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) stating that no monastery, temple, mosque, or church is in a position to provide dedicated services;
(2) The principal scriptures of the religion professed and a statement on the basic situation of that religion;
(3) A statement of the names, nationalities, current places of residence, and valid Chinese visas or stay or residence permits of the foreigners within China who intend to take part in the collective religious activities;
(4) A letter of commitment from the conveners;
(5) The originals and copies of the conveners’ passports and residence permits;
(6) A statement on the persons who will preside over the collective religious activities, and on the schedule, form, frequency, number of participants, and safety measures of the collective religious activities;
(7) Valid documentation of the right to use the buildings and facilities to serve as the temporary venue, and documentation showing that those buildings and facilities comply with laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire protection, building safety, and so on.
The materials required under the preceding paragraph, except for the principal scriptures of the religion professed under item (2), shall be in Chinese. The religious affairs departments shall protect according to law any information in the materials concerning personal privacy.
In the letter of commitment under item (4) of the first paragraph, the conveners shall undertake to properly supervise and manage the collective religious activities at the temporary venue, to urge the foreigners taking part to abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, not to hinder the normal production, study, and life of surrounding units and residents, to accept the administration of the local religious affairs department, and not to display religious symbols on the exterior of the temporary venue. All conveners shall sign the letter of commitment.
The model application form for a temporary venue for collective religious activities of foreigners within China is prepared by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Article 13 After receiving the application materials for establishing a temporary venue, the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government shall seek the opinions of the religious affairs departments of the county-level and districted-city people’s governments where the temporary venue is to be established, and of the religious body of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government, and shall decide whether or not to approve within twenty working days of accepting the application.
Within a county-level administrative area, generally only one temporary venue is approved for those who profess the same religion and can use the same language for collective religious activities. A temporary venue is valid for at most two years. Where collective religious activities still need to be held at that temporary venue after expiry, a new application shall be made in accordance with Article 12 of these Detailed Rules at least thirty days before expiry.
When foreigners within China hold collective religious activities at a temporary venue, the religious affairs department of the local county-level people’s government is responsible for their administration.
Article 14 During collective religious activities at a temporary venue, at least one convener shall be present on site to take charge of management. The conveners shall strengthen the safety management of collective religious activities at the temporary venue, and the number of participants may not exceed the number stated in the approval document for the temporary venue.
Article 15 Where Chinese religious clergy need to be invited to preside over collective religious activities at a temporary venue, the conveners shall make the request to the religious body of the districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) where the temporary venue is located, and that religious body shall arrange suitable religious clergy to preside.
Article 16 Apart from Chinese religious clergy arranged or invited to preside over religious activities in accordance with these Detailed Rules, collective religious activities held by foreigners within China are limited to participation by foreigners within China.
Article 17 Where a monastery, temple, mosque, or church providing dedicated services for collective religious activities of foreigners within China, or the provider of the buildings and facilities of a temporary venue, discovers conduct in the collective religious activities of foreigners within China that violates Chinese laws, regulations, or rules, it shall promptly report this to the local religious affairs department or other relevant departments.
Article 18 Where the conveners, schedule, form, or number of participants of a temporary venue need to be changed, an application for the change shall be submitted, together with the relevant materials, to the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government thirty days before the proposed change.
Article 19 With the consent of the local religious body, foreigners within China may invite Chinese religious clergy to perform for them, according to religious custom, religious ceremonies such as a baptism, wedding, funeral, Taoist rite, or ritual assembly.
Chapter 3 Religious Exchanges
Article 20 Friendly religious contacts and cultural and academic exchanges between foreigners within China and Chinese religious bodies, religious schools, venues for religious activities, and the like shall be conducted through national religious bodies or religious bodies of provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the central government.
Article 21 Foreign religious clergy who have entered China in their capacity as religious clergy may, at the invitation of a national religious body or a religious body of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government, expound scriptures and preach at monasteries, temples, mosques, and churches.
Foreign religious clergy who have entered China in another capacity may expound scriptures and preach at monasteries, temples, mosques, and churches at the invitation of a national religious body or a religious body of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government and with the consent of the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government.
The invitee shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Abides by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, respects the principle that religions in China are independent and self-governing, has no words or deeds hostile to China, and has no tendency toward religious extremist thought;
(2) The content to be taught does not violate Chinese laws, regulations, or rules, does not interfere in China’s religious affairs, and does not go against China’s public order and good customs.
Article 22 Where foreign religious clergy who have entered China in another capacity intend to expound scriptures and preach at a monastery, temple, mosque, or church, the national religious body or the religious body of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government shall submit the following application materials to the State Administration for Religious Affairs or to the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government, respectively:
(1) A letter of application, including the reasons for the invitation and information on the monastery, temple, mosque, or church at which the expounding and preaching are to be arranged;
(2) A statement on the invitee’s relevant background, religious clerical status, and capacity of entry, and the main content to be taught;
(3) Written consent from the monastery, temple, mosque, or church at which the expounding and preaching are to be arranged.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government shall decide whether or not to approve within twenty working days of accepting the application.
Article 23 Where foreigners conducting religious, cultural, and academic exchanges with Chinese religious bodies, religious schools, or venues for religious activities bring into China religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles in excess of a reasonable quantity for personal use, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles brought in contain no content endangering China’s national security, harming the public interest, or contrary to the principle that religions in China are independent and self-governing;
(2) The recipient of the religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles is a religious body, religious school, or venue for religious activities;
(3) The religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles brought in meet the needs of a religious, cultural, and academic exchange project or agreement;
(4) The consent of a national religious body or of a religious body of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government has been obtained.
A reasonable quantity of religious printed matter and religious audio-visual products for personal use means no more than ten copies (items) of a publication issued as a single volume, or no more than three sets of a publication issued as a set, per person per entry. A reasonable quantity of other religious articles for personal use means no more than three basic units of each kind.
Religious printed matter and religious audio-visual products for distribution are prohibited from entering China.
Article 24 Where a foreigner brings into China religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles in excess of a reasonable quantity for personal use, the receiving unit shall apply to the religious affairs department of the local provincial-level people’s government, submitting the following materials:
(1) A letter of application, including an introduction to the foreigner and to the religious, cultural, and academic exchange, and a list, samples, quantities, and statement of the intended use of the religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles to be brought in;
(2) The text of the religious, cultural, and academic exchange project or agreement;
(3) Written consent from a national religious body or a religious body of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government.
Where the receiving unit is a national religious body or a religious school established by one, the national religious body shall submit the application materials to the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government shall decide whether or not to approve within twenty working days of accepting the application.
Article 25 When a foreigner who has obtained approval brings into China religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles in excess of a reasonable quantity for personal use, he or she shall declare them to customs, and customs shall inspect and release them on the basis of the approval document of the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial-level people’s government.
Article 26 The recruitment within China by foreign organizations or individuals of students to study abroad for the purpose of training religious clergy shall be coordinated, arranged, and selected by national religious bodies or religious bodies of provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the central government according to need.
Foreign organizations or individuals may not, without authorization, recruit within China students to study abroad for the purpose of training religious clergy.
Foreigners coming to study at Chinese religious schools shall obtain the consent of a national religious body or of a religious body of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government.
Article 27 Foreigners employed by Chinese religious schools in accordance with statutory procedures may lecture at religious schools as foreign professionals.
Article 28 Where foreign religious organizations that have no corresponding lawful Chinese religious organization within China, or their members, have contacts with Chinese government departments or with religious bodies, religious schools, venues for religious activities, and the like, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) Being friendly toward China;
(2) Having lawful status or identity in their country (region);
(3) Having no adverse record;
(4) Respecting the principle that religions in China are independent and self-governing, with the proposed contacts within China not violating Chinese laws, regulations, or rules.
The Chinese unit shall apply to the State Administration for Religious Affairs, submitting the following materials:
(1) A letter of application, including the purpose, matters, time, place, and number of persons of the contacts;
(2) Basic information on the foreign religious organization and its members and on the religion, and a statement that the foreign religious organization and its members meet the conditions listed in the preceding paragraph;
(3) Basic information on the Chinese unit and its principal participants.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs shall decide whether or not to approve within twenty working days of accepting the application.
Article 29 Foreigners within China may not engage in the following religion-related activities:
(1) Interfering in or controlling the affairs of Chinese religious bodies, religious schools, or venues for religious activities, or interfering in the accreditation and management of religious clergy;
(2) Founding religious organizations, or establishing religious offices, venues for religious activities, or religious schools;
(3) Propagating religious extremist thought, supporting or funding religious extremism and illegal religious activities, or using religion to undermine China’s national unity, ethnic unity, religious harmony, or social stability;
(4) Expounding scriptures or preaching, or holding collective religious activities, without authorization;
(5) Developing religious followers among Chinese citizens, or appointing religious clergy;
(6) Using religion to carry out activities that hinder the implementation of China’s judicial, educational, marriage, social administration, or other systems;
(7) Producing or selling religious articles such as religious books and periodicals, religious audio-visual products, or religious electronic publications, or distributing religious propaganda materials;
(8) Accepting religious donations from Chinese organizations and citizens;
(9) Organizing and conducting religious education and training;
(10) Using the internet to carry out illegal religious activities;
(11) Other illegal religion-related activities.
Chapter 4 Legal Liability
Article 30 Where public officials abuse their power, neglect their duties, or engage in malpractice for personal gain in the administration of religious activities of foreigners within China, and disciplinary sanctions are warranted, sanctions shall be imposed according to law; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued according to law.
Article 31 Where foreigners within China establish a temporary venue without authorization to hold collective religious activities, the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 69 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 32 Where collective religious activities held by foreigners within China at a monastery, temple, mosque, or church or at a temporary venue violate these Detailed Rules or the content of the letter of commitment, the religious affairs department shall order corrections; where the conveners are responsible, it shall order the conveners to be replaced; where the circumstances are serious, it shall order the monastery, temple, mosque, or church to stop providing dedicated services for collective religious activities of foreigners, or order the temporary venue to stop its activities.
Article 33 Where Chinese religious bodies, religious schools, or venues for religious activities violate these Detailed Rules, the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 65 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Where Chinese religious clergy violate these Detailed Rules, the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 73 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 34 Where anyone provides conditions for illegal religious activities of foreigners within China, the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 71 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 35 Violations of other provisions of these Detailed Rules shall be dealt with by the religious affairs departments and other relevant departments in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners Within the People’s Republic of China and the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Where a violation of these Detailed Rules also violates other laws and regulations, it shall be dealt with by the relevant departments according to law; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued according to law.
Chapter 5 Supplementary Provisions
Article 36 Within the administrative areas of municipalities directly under the central government, the duties assigned by these Detailed Rules to the religious bodies of districted cities (prefectures, autonomous prefectures, or leagues) shall be performed by the religious bodies of the districts (counties) of the municipality; the duties of the religious affairs departments of county-level people’s governments and of districted-city people’s governments shall be performed by the religious affairs departments of the people’s governments of the districts (counties) of the municipality.
Article 37 Where a county (county-level city, district, or banner) has no relevant religious body, the corresponding duties under these Detailed Rules shall be performed by the religious body of the districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league).
Where a districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the central government has no relevant religious body, the corresponding duties shall be performed by the religious body of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government.
Where a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government has no relevant religious body, the corresponding duties shall be performed by the national religious body.
Article 38 These Detailed Rules shall take effect on May 1, 2025.