New restrictions from China severely limit foreign missionary activity

New restrictions of the United China Front prohibit that the foreign clergy presides to religious activities for the people without the invitation of the Chinese government, which severely limits the foreign missionary activity in the country.

According to the regulations, which will enter into force on May 1, “collective religious activities organized by foreigners in China are only restricted to foreign participants,” with few exceptions.

Las Restrictions They apply to believers of any religion and strictly prohibit that non -Chinese citizens residing in the country establish religious organizations, preach without authorization, melt religious schools, produce or sell religious books, accept religious donations or add to Chinese citizens as religious followers.

Published on April 1 by the National Administration of Religious Affairs, a branch of the United Front Labor Department, the rules consist of 38 articles that impose restrictions on the ability of foreigners to organize religious activities in the country.

The Regulation, entitled “Rules for the application of the provisions on the administration of the religious activities of foreigners in the People’s Republic of China”, also stipulates that only the Chinese clergy can preside over religious activities for foreigners in churches and temples approved by the Government.

The regulations establish that foreign religious clergymen entering China with religious status can only preach if they are invited by one of the Chinese state national religious organizations and approved by the administration of religious affairs of the United Front. Those who are accepted must also obtain the approval that the content of their preaching “does not interfere with the religious affairs of China.”

Beijing has long sought to maintain strict control over religious affairs, allowing only religious institutions sanctioned by the State legally operate.

The new regulations arrive after the Conference of the Joint National Meeting of Religious Groups of last month instructed these religious groups approved by the State, including the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, to integrate the principles of the Chinese Communist Party into its sermons.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.