Recently, the State Administration for Religious Affairs issued Order No. 23 to promulgate the newly revised "Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China", which will come into effect on May 1, 2025. The revision and implementation of the "Detailed Rules" is of great significance for thoroughly implementing the "Regulations on Religious Affairs", protecting the normal religious activities of foreigners within the territory and friendly exchanges between foreigners within the territory and the Chinese religious community, and enhancing the institutionalization and standardization of the management of religious activities of foreigners within the territory.

The Detailed Rules consist of 5 chapters and 38 articles, further improving the management system for religious activities of foreigners within the territory. It is stipulated that foreigners within the territory of China may participate in religious activities in legally registered temples, churches and mosques, may hold collective religious activities in temples, churches and mosques or approved temporary locations, and may invite Chinese religious personnel to hold religious ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, Dharma assemblies and religious ceremonies for them. It stipulates the specific requirements and application procedures for foreigners within the territory to apply for collective religious activities in temples, monasteries and churches, as well as the conditions, materials and approval for administrative licensing matters such as applying for the establishment of temporary locations. It is stipulated that foreigners conducting religious activities within the territory of China shall abide by China's laws, regulations and rules, respect the principle of independence and self-management of religions in China, accept the management of the Chinese government in accordance with the law, and shall not use religion to harm China's national interests, public interests and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, nor shall they violate China's public order and good customs.

The full text of the "Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China" is as follows.

Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China

Chapter One General Provisions

Article 1 These detailed implementation rules are formulated in accordance with relevant regulations such as the "Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China".

Article 2 The term "foreigner" as used in these detailed rules refers to a person who, in accordance with the provisions of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, does not hold the nationality of China.

Article 3 The term "religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China" as used in these detailed rules refers to activities where foreigners hold or participate in religious ceremonies in accordance with their religious beliefs within the territory of China, as well as engage in religious exchanges and interactions with religious groups, religious colleges and universities, religious activity sites and religious personnel in China.

Article 4 China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within its territory and protects their religious activities in accordance with the law.

China protects in accordance with the law the friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchange activities between foreigners within its territory and the Chinese religious community in terms of religion.

Article 5 Foreigners conducting religious activities within the territory of China shall abide by the laws, regulations and rules of China, respect the principle of independence and self-management of religions in China, and accept the management of the Chinese government in accordance with the law. It is prohibited to use religion to harm China's national interests, public interests and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, nor to violate China's public order and good customs.

Chapter Two Collective Religious Activities

Article 6 Collective religious activities by foreigners within the territory shall be conducted in temples, palaces, mosques and churches (hereinafter referred to as "temples, mosques and churches") that are legally registered as religious activity sites, and special services shall be provided by temples, mosques and churches. If temples, churches or mosques are unable to provide special services, they may hold such activities at temporary locations for collective religious activities of foreigners approved by the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government (hereinafter referred to as "temporary locations").

The term "collective religious activities for foreigners within the territory" as used in these detailed rules refers to religious activities organized by foreigners within the territory and participated by a certain number of foreigners, excluding the circumstances stipulated in Article 19 of these detailed rules.

The certain quantity as prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall be determined by the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government.

Article 7 Foreigners within the territory who apply to hold collective religious activities in temples, monasteries or churches or to set up temporary venues shall elect three or more conveners.

The convener shall abide by the laws, regulations and rules of China, have no hostile words or deeds towards China, have no bad records, be able to bear corresponding legal responsibilities, and legally reside within the territory of China.

Personnel of foreign diplomatic representative institutions and consular institutions in China, as well as other foreigners enjoying privileges and immunities, shall not serve as conveners.

Article 8 Foreigners within the territory who wish to hold collective religious activities in temples, monasteries or churches shall submit a written application to the religious group of the city (prefecture, autonomous prefecture, league) where they are located by the convener.

Religious groups of cities divided into districts (prefectures, prefectures, leagues) shall, based on applications and the conditions of local temples, monasteries and churches, determine temples, monasteries and churches that 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 of the city divided into districts for the record. If temples, churches or mosques do not have the conditions to provide special services, religious groups of cities divided into districts (prefectures, prefectures, leagues) shall reply in writing to the convener. The convener may apply for the establishment of a temporary location in accordance with the provisions of these detailed rules.

Article 9 Temples, churches and mosques that provide special services for collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory shall enter into an agreement with the convener, clearly stipulating matters such as the time arrangement, activity mode, frequency, number of participants, safety measures, rights and obligations of both parties, and legal responsibilities of the collective religious activities. And within ten days from the date of signing the agreement, the text of the agreement and the relevant information of the convener shall be filed with the religious affairs department of the municipal people's government at the prefecture level where it is located.

Article 10 When foreigners within the territory hold collective religious activities in temples, monasteries or churches, such activities shall be presided over by Chinese religious personnel arranged by the temples, monasteries or churches. Where it is indeed necessary for foreigners to preside over religious activities, the temple, monastery or church shall file with the religious affairs department of the municipal people's government at the prefecture level where it is located.

Article 11 An application for the establishment of a temporary location shall meet the following conditions:

(1) Activities to be carried out at temporary locations shall not interfere with 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 proposed as temporary locations;

(3) The building facilities proposed as temporary locations comply with the laws and regulations on planning, construction, fire protection, and building safety, and are suitable for collective religious activities.

Article 12 When applying for the establishment of a temporary site, the convener shall fill out the application form for the temporary site of collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory and submit the following materials to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government where the application for the establishment of the temporary site is made:

(1) A written reply issued by a religious organization of a city divided into districts (prefecture, state, league) stating that temples, churches or mosques do not have the conditions to provide special services;

(2) The main classics of the religion one believes in and an explanation of the basic situation of that religion;

(3) A description of the name, nationality, current place of residence, valid Chinese visa or residence permit of the foreigner within the territory who intends to participate in the collective religious activities;

(4) The commitment letter of the convener;

(5) The original and photocopies of the convener's passport and residence permit;

(6) The personnel who intend to preside over collective religious activities, as well as explanations on the time arrangement, activity methods, frequency, number of participants, and safety measures of the collective religious activities;

(7) Valid materials that have the right to use the building facilities proposed as temporary locations, as well as materials that the building facilities comply with the provisions of 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 classics of the religion believed in as mentioned in the second item, shall be in Chinese. Religious affairs departments shall protect the information involving personal privacy in the materials in accordance with the law.

In the commitment letter under the fourth item of the first paragraph, the convener shall commit to supervising and managing the collective religious activities at the temporary location, urging the foreigners participating in the activities to abide by the laws, regulations and rules of China, not interfering with the normal production, study and life of the surrounding units and residents, accepting the management of the local religious affairs department, and not setting up religious markers on the outside of the temporary location. All conveners shall sign the commitment letter.

The format of the application form for temporary locations of collective religious activities by foreigners within the territory is produced by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.

Article 13 After receiving the application materials for the establishment of a temporary site, the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government shall solicit the opinions of the religious affairs department of the county-level people's government, the religious affairs department of the people's government of a city divided into districts, and the religious groups of the province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government where the temporary site is to be established. It shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within twenty working days from the date of accepting the application.

Within the county-level administrative region, for those who believe in the same religion and can conduct collective religious activities in the same language, generally only one temporary location is approved.

The validity period of the temporary location is up to two years at most. If it is still necessary to hold collective religious activities at the temporary location after the expiration of the period, a new application shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of these detailed rules 30 days before the expiration.

When foreigners within the territory hold collective religious activities at temporary locations, the religious affairs department of the county-level people's government where they are located shall be responsible for the management.

Article 14 For collective religious activities held at temporary locations, there shall be at least one convener on site to be responsible for management.

The convener shall strengthen the safety management of collective religious activities at temporary locations. The number of participants in the activities shall not exceed the number of participants stated in the approval document of the temporary location.

Article 15 For collective religious activities held at temporary locations, if it is necessary to invite Chinese religious personnel to preside over them, the convener shall propose to the religious group of the city (prefecture, state, league) where the temporary location is located, and the religious group shall arrange suitable religious personnel to preside over them.

Article 16 Except for Chinese religious personnel who are arranged or invited to preside over religious activities in accordance with the provisions of these detailed rules, collective religious activities held by foreigners within the territory of China are limited to the participation of foreigners within the territory.

Article 17 The providers of temples, churches and temporary site buildings and facilities that offer special services for collective religious activities of foreigners within the territory of China shall promptly report to the local religious affairs department or other relevant departments if they discover that such activities violate Chinese laws, regulations and rules.

Article 18 Where the convener, time arrangement, activity mode or number of participants of a temporary location needs to be changed, an application for change and relevant materials shall be submitted to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government 30 days before the proposed change.

Article 19 Foreigners within the territory of China may, with the consent of the local religious group, invite Chinese religious personnel to hold religious ceremonies such as baptists, weddings, funerals, monasteries and religious assemblies for them in accordance with religious customs.

Chapter Three Religious Interactions

Article 20 Friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges between foreigners within the territory of China and religious groups, religious colleges and universities, and religious activity sites in the field of religion shall be conducted through national religious groups or religious groups of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

Article 21 Foreign religious personnel entering the country as religious personnel may, upon invitation by a national religious organization or a religious organization of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government, give sermons or preach in temples, monasteries or churches.

Foreign religious personnel entering the country in other identities may, upon invitation by a national religious organization or a religious organization 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 people's government, give sermons or preach in temples, monasteries or churches.

The invitees shall meet the following conditions:

(1) Obey China's laws, regulations and rules, respect the principle of independence, self-governance and self-operation of religions in China, have no hostile words or deeds towards China, and have no tendency towards extreme religious thoughts;

(2) The content to be taught does not violate China's laws, regulations and rules, does not interfere with China's religious affairs, and does not contravene China's public order and good customs.

Article 22 Foreign religious personnel entering the country in other identities who plan to preach or deliver sermons in temples, monasteries or churches shall respectively submit the following application materials to the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government:

(1) Application form, which should include the reasons for the invitation and the details of the temple, temple or church where the sermon or preaching is to be arranged;

(2) Relevant background information of the invitee, religious position status, entry status statement and the main content to be taught;

(3) Materials of written consent from the temple, temple or church that intends to arrange preaching and sermons.

The State Administration for Religious Affairs and the religious affairs departments of provincial people's governments shall, within twenty working days from the date of accepting the application, make a decision on approval or disapproval.

Article 23 Foreigners conducting religious cultural and academic exchanges with Chinese religious groups, religious colleges and universities, and religious activity sites, and carrying religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious supplies in excess of their own use and a reasonable quantity into the country, 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 public interests or violates the principle of independence, self-management and self-operation of Chinese religions.

(2) The receiving units of religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products and other religious supplies are religious groups, religious colleges and universities or religious activity sites;

(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 a national religious organization or a religious organization of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

The range of self-use and reasonable quantity of religious printed matter and religious audio-visual products refers to less than ten copies (sets) per person per time for single-volume publications and less than three sets per person per time for sets of publications. The range of self-use and reasonable quantity of other religious items refers to each type being less than three basic units.

Scattered religious printed materials and religious audio-visual products are prohibited from entering the country.

Article 24 When foreigners bring religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious supplies into the country in quantities exceeding their own use and reasonable limits, the receiving unit shall apply to the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government where it is located and submit the following materials:

(1) Application form, which should include an introduction to the foreigner and the situation of religious, cultural and academic exchanges, as well as a catalogue, samples, quantity and usage description of the religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious supplies carried;

(2) The text of religious and cultural academic exchange projects or agreements;

(3) Written materials of consent from a national religious organization or a religious organization of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

Where the receiving entity is a national religious organization or a religious college it has established, the national religious organization 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, within twenty working days from the date of accepting the application, make a decision on approval or disapproval.

Article 25 When foreigners are approved to bring religious printed matter, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles into the country in quantities exceeding their own use and reasonable limits, they shall declare to the customs. The customs shall release them based on the approval documents issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs or the religious affairs department of the provincial people's government.

Article 26 Foreign organizations or individuals recruiting overseas students for the purpose of training religious personnel within the territory of China shall be arranged and selected by national religious groups or religious groups 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 the territory of China for the purpose of training religious personnel without authorization.

Foreigners who wish to study at religious colleges and universities in China shall obtain the consent of a national religious organization or a religious organization of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

Article 27 Foreigners who are employed by Chinese religious colleges and universities in accordance with the legal procedures may give lectures at religious colleges and universities as foreign professionals.

Article 28 Any foreign religious organization and its members that do not have a corresponding legal Chinese religious organization within the territory of China and interact with Chinese government departments or religious groups, religious colleges and universities, religious activity sites, etc., shall meet the following conditions:

(1) Be friendly to China;

(2) Have a legal status or identity in the country (region) where it is located;

(3) No bad records;

(4) Respect the principle of independence, self-management and self-operation of religions in China, and the intended exchanges conducted within the territory of China do not violate Chinese laws, regulations and rules.

Chinese units shall submit an application to the State Administration for Religious Affairs and provide the following materials:

(1) Application form, including the purpose, matters, time, place and number of people of the interaction;

(2) The basic information of the foreign religious organization and its members and the religion, as well as the explanation that the foreign religious organization and its members meet the conditions listed in the preceding paragraph;

(3) Basic information of the Chinese organization and its main participants.

The State Administration for Religious Affairs shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within twenty working days from the date of accepting the application.

Article 29 Foreigners within the territory shall not engage in the following religious activities:

(1) Interfere in and control the affairs of religious groups, religious colleges and religious activity sites in China, and interfere in the identification and management of religious personnel;

(2) Establishing religious organizations, setting up religious administrative offices, religious activity sites or religious colleges and universities;

(3) Promoting religious extremist ideas, supporting and funding religious extremism and illegal religious activities, and using religion to undermine China's national unity, ethnic solidarity, religious harmony and social stability;

(4) Conducting sermons, preaching or holding collective religious activities without authorization;

(V) Developing religious believers among Chinese citizens and appointing religious personnel;

(6) Activities that use religion to impede the implementation of China's judicial, educational, marriage, social management and other systems;

(7) Producing or selling religious books and periodicals, religious audio-visual products, religious electronic publications and other religious supplies, and distributing religious propaganda materials;

(8) Accept religious donations from Chinese organizations and citizens;

(9) Organize and carry out religious education and training;

(10) Conducting illegal religious activities through the Internet;

(11) Other illegal activities related to religion.

Chapter Four Legal Liability

Article 30 Where a public official abuses his power, neglects his duty or shows favoritism and malpractice in the management of religious activities for foreigners within the territory and should be given a disciplinary sanction, he shall be given a sanction in accordance with the law; If a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Article 31 Where foreigners within the territory set up temporary locations without authorization to hold collective religious activities, they shall be dealt with 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 temples, churches or temporary locations in violation of the provisions of these detailed rules or the contents 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. In serious cases, temples, churches and mosques shall be ordered to stop providing special services for collective religious activities of foreigners or to suspend activities at temporary locations.

Article 33 Where Chinese religious groups, religious colleges and religious activity sites violate the provisions of these detailed rules, they shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 65 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.

Chinese religious personnel who violate the provisions of these detailed rules shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 73 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.

Article 34 Where conditions are provided for illegal religious activities by foreigners within the territory of China, they shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 71 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs.

Article 35 Any violation of other provisions of these detailed Rules shall be dealt with by the religious affairs department and other relevant departments in accordance with the "Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China" and the "Regulations on Religious Affairs".

Those who violate the provisions of these detailed rules and also violate other laws and regulations shall be dealt with 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 Five Supplementary Provisions

Article 36 Within the administrative region of a municipality directly under the Central Government, the duties of religious groups in the cities (prefectures, prefectures, leagues) as stipulated in these detailed implementation rules shall be performed by religious groups in the districts (counties) of the municipality directly under the Central Government. The duties of the religious affairs departments of the county-level people's governments and the people's governments of cities divided into districts shall be performed by the religious affairs departments of the people's governments of the districts (counties) directly under the Central Government.

      Article 37 Where a county (city, district, banner) has no relevant religious group, the corresponding duties stipulated in these detailed rules shall be performed by the religious group of the city (prefecture, state, league) divided into districts.

      Where there are no relevant religious groups in a city divided into districts (prefectures, prefectures, leagues) or a district (county) directly under the Central Government, the corresponding duties shall be performed by the religious groups of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

Where there is no relevant religious organization in a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government, the corresponding duties shall be performed by a national religious organization.

Article 38 These detailed rules shall come into effect as of May 1, 2025.

(Source: United Front New Language)