Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Implementation Rules are formulated in accordance with the "Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China" and other relevant provisions.
Article 2: The term "foreign national" as used in these Implementation Rules refers to a person who does not possess Chinese nationality in accordance with the provisions of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 3 For the purposes of these Implementing Rules, religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China refer to activities such as foreigners holding or participating in religious ceremonies in accordance with their religious beliefs within the territory of China, and engaging in religious exchanges and communications with Chinese religious groups, religious institutions, religious activity sites and religious clergy.
Article 4 The People's Republic of China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within its territory and protects their religious activities in accordance with the law.
China legally protects friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges in religious aspects between foreigners in China and Chinese religious circles.
Article 5 Foreigners in China engaging in religious activities shall abide by China's laws, regulations, and rules, respect the principle of independence and self-management of China's religious affairs, and accept the lawful administration by the Chinese government. They shall not use religion to harm China's national interests, public interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, nor shall they violate China's public order and good morals.
Chapter II Collective Religious Activities
Article 6 Collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China shall be conducted in temples, Taoist temples, mosques, and churches (hereinafter referred to as temples and churches) that have been legally registered as religious activity sites, with special services provided by such temples and churches; if temples and churches are unable to provide special services, such activities may be conducted at temporary sites for foreigners' collective religious activities approved by the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government (hereinafter referred to as temporary sites).
The term "collective religious activities of foreigners in China" as mentioned in these Implementation Rules refers to religious activities organized by foreigners in China and participated in by a certain number of foreigners, excluding the circumstances specified in Article 19 of these Implementation Rules.
The specific number 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 to hold collective religious activities in a temple, monastery, mosque, or church, or apply to establish a temporary venue, they shall elect three or more conveners.
The conveners shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules, have no words or deeds hostile to China, have no bad records, be able to bear corresponding legal responsibilities, and reside legally in China.
Personnel of foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices in China, as well as other foreigners enjoying privileges and immunities, shall not serve as conveners.
Article 8 Where foreigners in China intend to hold a collective religious activity in a temple, monastery, mosque, or church, the convener shall submit a written application to the religious group of the city divided into districts (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, or league) where the activity is to be held.
Religious groups in cities (prefectures, autonomous prefectures, leagues) with districts shall, based on applications and the conditions of local temples, monasteries, churches and Taoist temples, determine which ones will provide special services for collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory, and report to the religious affairs department of the municipal people's government with districts for record. If a temple, monastery, church or Taoist temple is not qualified to provide special services, the religious group in the city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) with districts shall give a written reply to the convener. The convener may apply for establishing a temporary venue in accordance with the provisions of these Implementation Rules.
Article 9 Temples, monasteries, churches and mosques that provide special services for collective religious activities of foreigners in China shall sign an agreement with the convener, specifying such matters as the schedule, form, frequency, number of participants, safety measures, rights and obligations of both parties, and legal liabilities of the collective religious activities. They shall, within 10 days from the date of signing the agreement, submit the agreement text and relevant information about the convener to the religious affairs department of the people's government at the prefecture-level city where they are located for the record.
Article 10 When foreigners in China hold collective religious activities in religious venues (temples, monasteries, churches), the religious venue shall arrange Chinese religious personnel to preside over them; if it is really necessary for a foreigner to preside over the religious activities, the religious venue shall report for the record to the religious affairs department of the people's government at the prefecture-level city (with districts) where it is located.
Article 11 To apply for the establishment of a temporary site, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The activities to be held at the temporary site shall not interfere with the normal production, study, and life of the surrounding units and residents, and shall be subject to the management of the religious affairs department at the location.
(2) Having the right to use the building or facility intended to be used as a temporary venue;
(3) The building or facility proposed as a temporary site complies with the provisions of laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire protection, building safety, etc., and is suitable for holding collective religious activities.
Article 12 When applying for the establishment of a temporary site, the convener shall fill in the Application Form for Temporary Sites for Collective Religious Activities of Foreigners in China, and at the same time submit the following materials to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government at the location where the temporary site is applied for:
(1) A written reply issued by the religious group of a districted city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) stating that the temple, monastery, church, or Taoist temple does not have the conditions to provide special services;
(2) The main classics of the religion they believe in, and an explanation of the basic information of that religion;
(3) A statement containing information such as the names, nationalities, current places of residence, valid Chinese visas or stay/residence permits of the foreigners in China who plan to participate in the collective religious activities;
(4) Convener's letter of commitment;
(5) The original and copy of the convener's passport and residence permit;
(6) A description of the person who intends to preside over the collective religious activities, as well as the schedule, form, frequency, number of participants, and safety measures of the collective religious activities;
(7) Valid materials proving the right to use the building or facility intended to serve as the temporary venue, as well as materials demonstrating that the building or facility complies with the provisions of laws and regulations regarding planning, construction, fire protection, building safety, etc.
All materials required to be submitted as mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be in Chinese, except for the main classics of the religious beliefs specified in the second item. The religious affairs department shall protect the information involving personal privacy in the materials in accordance with the law.
In the letter of commitment under Item 4 of Article 1, the convener shall undertake to properly supervise and manage the temporary collective religious activities, urge the foreigners participating in the activities to abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules, not hinder the normal production, study and life of the surrounding units and residents, accept the management of the religious affairs department at the location, and not place religious symbols outside the temporary venue. All conveners shall sign the letter of commitment.
The format of the application form for temporary venues for collective religious activities of foreigners in China is formulated by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Article 13 After receiving the application materials for establishing a temporary site, the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government shall seek the opinions of the religious affairs department of the county-level people's government, the religious affairs department of the prefecture-level people's government where the temporary site is to be established, and the religious groups of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government. It shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 20 working days from the date of accepting the application.
In a county-level administrative region, generally, only one temporary site is approved for those who believe in the same religion and can conduct collective religious activities using the same language.
The maximum validity period of a temporary venue is two years. If it is still necessary to hold collective religious activities at the temporary venue after the expiration, an application for renewal shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of these Implementation Rules 30 days before the expiration.
When foreigners in China hold collective religious activities at temporary locations, the religious affairs department of the county-level people's government at the location shall be responsible for the management.
Article 14 For collective religious activities held at temporary locations, there shall be at least one convener present on-site to take charge of management.
The convener shall strengthen the safety management of collective religious activities at temporary venues, and the number of participants in the activities shall not exceed the number specified in the approval document for the temporary venue.
Article 15 If a religious cleric in China needs to be invited to preside over a collective religious activity held at a temporary venue, the convener shall make a request to the religious group of the city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) with district divisions where the temporary venue is located, and the religious group shall arrange an appropriate religious cleric to preside over the activity.
Article 16 Except for Chinese religious personnel who preside over religious activities as arranged or invited in accordance with the provisions of these Implementation Rules, collective religious activities held by foreigners in China shall be limited to the participation of foreigners in China.
Article 17 Where providers of religious venues (such as temples, monasteries, churches) and temporary premises that offer special services for collective religious activities of foreigners within China discover that such activities violate Chinese laws, regulations, or rules, they shall promptly report to the local religious affairs department or other relevant departments.
Article 18 Where it is necessary to change the convener, time arrangement, activity method, or number of participants of a temporary venue, an application for change shall be submitted to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government 30 days before the proposed change, along with relevant materials.
Article 19 With the consent of the local religious group, foreigners within the territory may invite Chinese religious clerics to hold religious ceremonies such as baptism, wedding, funeral, Taoist rituals, and Buddhist assemblies for them in accordance with religious customs.
Chapter III Religious Exchanges
Article 20 Foreigners within the territory of China who engage in religious friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges with Chinese religious groups, religious institutions of higher learning, and religious activity sites, etc., shall do so through national religious groups or religious groups at the provincial, autonomous regional, or municipal (directly under the Central Government) level.
Article 21 Foreign religious personnel who enter the country as religious clergy may, upon invitation by a national religious group or a religious group at the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government level, give sermons or preach in temples, monasteries, churches, or Taoist temples.
Foreign religious clerics who enter the country in another capacity may preach or give sermons in temples, monasteries, churches, or Taoist temples upon invitation by a national religious organization or a religious organization at the provincial, autonomous regional, or municipal level, and with the approval of the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of a provincial people's government.
The invitee shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Abide by China's laws, regulations, and rules, respect the principle of independence and self-management in China's religious affairs, have no words or deeds hostile to China, and have no tendency towards religious extremism;
(2) The content to be taught shall not violate Chinese laws, regulations, or rules, shall not interfere in China's religious affairs, and shall not contradict China's public order and good morals.
Article 22 For foreign religious clergy who enter the country with other identities and intend to preach or give sermons in temples, monasteries, churches, or Taoist temples, national religious organizations or religious organizations at the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall submit the following application materials to the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government respectively:
(1) An application form, which includes the reasons for the invitation and information about the temple, monastery, church, or Taoist temple where the scripture lecture or sermon is planned to be held;
(2) Relevant background information of the invitee, their status as a religious clergy member, explanation of their entry status, and the main content they intend to teach;
(3) A written consent document from the temple, monastery, church, or mosque where the religious lecture or preaching is scheduled to be held.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs 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 accepting the application.
Article 23 When foreigners engage in religious, cultural, and academic exchange activities with Chinese religious groups, religious institutions of higher learning, or religious activity sites, and bring into the country religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles in quantities exceeding their personal and reasonable needs, they shall meet the following conditions:
(1) The religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles carried shall not contain contents that endanger China's national security, harm public interests, or violate the principle of independence and self-management of China's religious undertakings, etc.
(2) The receiving entities of religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious supplies shall be religious groups, religious institutions or religious activity sites;
(3) The religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles carried are in line with the needs of religious cultural and academic exchange projects or agreements;
(4) With the approval of a national religious group or a religious group at the provincial, autonomous regional, or municipal level.
The scope of religious printed materials and religious audio-visual products for personal use in reasonable quantities refers to no more than 10 copies (issues) per person per time for publications issued as single volumes, and no more than 3 sets per person per time for publications issued as sets. The scope of other religious articles for personal use in reasonable quantities refers to no more than 3 basic units of each type.
The entry of scattered religious printed materials and religious audio-visual products is prohibited.
Article 24 When a foreigner enters China carrying religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious items in quantities exceeding the reasonable amount for personal use, the receiving entity shall apply to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government at the place where it is located and submit the following materials:
(1) An application form, which includes an introduction to the foreign national and the religious, cultural, and academic exchange, as well as a catalog, samples, quantity, and usage explanation of the religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious items they carry;
(2) Texts of religious, cultural, and academic exchange programs or agreements;
(3) Written materials indicating approval from a national religious group or a religious group at the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government level.
If the receiving entity is a national religious group or a religious institution established by it, the national religious group shall submit the application materials to the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs 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 accepting the application.
Article 25 When a foreigner, with approval, enters China carrying religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products, and other religious articles in quantities exceeding the scope of personal use and reasonable amounts, they shall declare them to the customs. The customs shall inspect and release such items based on the approval documents issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of a provincial people's government.
Article 26 When foreign organizations or individuals recruit students in China for the purpose of training religious personnel, such recruitment shall be arranged and selected in a coordinated manner by national religious organizations or religious organizations at the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government as needed.
Foreign organizations or individuals shall not arbitrarily recruit students in China for the purpose of training religious clergy.
Foreigners who come to study in religious institutions in China must obtain the approval of national religious organizations or religious organizations at the provincial, autonomous regional, or municipal levels.
Article 27 Foreigners who are employed by Chinese religious institutions in accordance with legal procedures may serve as foreign professionals to give lectures at religious institutions.
Article 28 Where foreign religious organizations and their members, for which there are no corresponding legitimate Chinese religious organizations within the territory of China, engage in exchanges with Chinese government departments, religious groups, religious institutions, religious activity sites, or other entities, they shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Being friendly to China;
(2) Having a legal status or identity in the country (region) where they reside;
(3) No bad records;
(4) Respect the principle of independence and self-management of China's religious affairs, and the proposed exchanges to be conducted within China shall not violate China's laws, regulations, or rules.
Chinese entities shall file an application with the State Administration for Religious Affairs and submit the following materials:
(1) An application form, which includes the purpose, matters, time, place, and number of people involved in the exchange;
(2)Basic information about the foreign religious organization, its members, and the religion, as well as an explanation that the foreign religious organization and its members meet the conditions listed in the preceding paragraph;
(3)Basic information of the Chinese entity and its main participants.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 20 working days from the date of accepting the application.
Article 29 Foreigners within the territory of China shall not engage in the following religious-related activities:
(1) Interfering in and controlling the affairs of Chinese religious groups, religious institutions, and religious activity sites, and interfering in the recognition and management of religious personnel;
(2) Establishing religious organizations, setting up religious administrative agencies, religious activity venues, or religious institutions;
(3) Propagating religious extremist ideas, supporting or funding religious extremism and illegal religious activities, and using religion to undermine China's national unity, ethnic solidarity, religious harmony, and social stability;
(4) Unauthorized preaching, delivering sermons, or holding collective religious activities;
(5) Recruiting religious believers among Chinese citizens and appointing religious clerics;
(6) Using religion to engage in activities that hinder the implementation of China's systems such as justice, education, marriage, and social management;
(7) Producing or selling religious books and periodicals, religious audio-visual products, religious electronic publications and other religious supplies, and distributing religious publicity materials;
(8)Accepting religious donations from Chinese organizations and citizens;
(9) Organizing and conducting religious education and training;
(10) Using the Internet to conduct illegal religious activities;
(11) Other illegal activities involving religion.
Chapter IV Legal Liabilities
Article 30 Where a public servant abuses their power, neglects their duties, or engages in malpractice for personal gain in the administration of religious activities of foreigners within the territory, if disciplinary action should be taken, such action shall be imposed in accordance with the law; if a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Article 31 Where a foreign national in China arbitrarily designates a temporary venue for holding religious activities in a group, it shall be handled in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 69 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 32 Where foreigners within the territory hold collective religious activities in religious temples, churches, or temporary venues in violation of the provisions of these Implementation Rules or the content of the commitment letter, the religious affairs department shall order them to make corrections. If the convener is responsible, the convener shall be ordered to be replaced; if the circumstances are serious, the religious temple or church shall be ordered to stop providing special services for foreigners' collective religious activities or the temporary venue shall be ordered to stop activities.
Article 33 Where religious groups, religious institutions, or religious activity sites in China violate the provisions of these Implementing Rules, they shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 65 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
If religious personnel in China violate the provisions of these Implementing Rules, they shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 73 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Article 34 Whoever provides 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 Whoever violates other provisions of these Implementation Rules shall be dealt with by the religious affairs department and other relevant departments in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations on Religious Affairs.
Whoever violates the provisions of these Implementing Rules and at the same time violates other laws and regulations shall be handled by the relevant departments in accordance with the law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Article 36 Within the administrative region of a municipality directly under the Central Government, the responsibilities of religious groups in cities divided into districts (prefectures, autonomous prefectures, leagues) as specified in these Implementing Rules shall be performed by religious groups in districts (counties) of the municipality directly under the Central Government; the responsibilities of religious affairs departments of people's governments at the county level and religious affairs departments of people's governments at the prefecture-level cities divided into districts shall be performed by religious affairs departments of people's governments of districts (counties) of the municipality directly under the Central Government.
Article 37 Where there is no relevant religious group in a county (city, district, banner), the corresponding responsibilities specified in these Implementation Rules shall be performed by the religious group of the prefecture-level city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) with districts.
Where there is no relevant religious group in a city divided into districts (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) or a district (county) under a municipality directly under the Central Government, the corresponding responsibilities shall be performed by the religious group of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government.
If provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government do not have relevant religious groups, the corresponding responsibilities shall be performed by national religious groups.
Article 38 These Implementing Rules shall come into force on May 1, 2025.
