China’s new religion laws a ‘pretext’ for arrests, clerics say

China’s new religion laws a ‘pretext’ for arrests, clerics say

The Chinese Communist Party announced this week new restrictions on religious practice by foreigners in mainland China, which are set to come into force May 1.A Catholic church in Jingzhou, China. Credit: Zhangzhugang/CC BY-SA 3.0The rules, issued by the party’s National Religious Affairs Administration, ban foreign nationals from common worship with Chinese citizens, and require all visitors to affirm the national independence of Chinese Church…

China’s new religious restrictions severely limit foreign missionary activity

Tiananmen Square - Entrance to Forbidden City, Beijing, China. / Credit: 4H4Photography/Shutterstock Rome Newsroom, Apr 3, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA). New restrictions from China’s United Front ban foreign clergy from presiding over religious activi... [...]

Communist China tightens grip on religion with sweeping new laws

The laws appear to be aimed at limiting foreign influence on Chinese nationals, while serving to highlight that in China the approved religion will remain firmly communist.

China’s New Religious Restrictions Severely Limit Foreign Missionary Activity

St. Francis Xavier statue in front St. Joseph Cathedral in Beijing; St. Francis is known as an ‘Apostle of China.’ New restrictions from China’s United Front ban foreign clergy from presiding over religious activities for Chinese people without the invitation of the Chinese government.

Announced by the authorities 'detailed rules' that will come into force on May 1. Even those who are not Chinese are asked to 'respect the independence and self-government' of local religious communities, obeying the instructions of the Party. Mixed celebrations between foreigners and Chinese are not allowed, even established the number of books that can be brought from abroad 'for personal use'. Very strict control is the true face of sinicizat…

China adds new restrictions on foreigners' religious activities

A new set of regulations published yesterday by the National Religious Affairs Administration (NRAA), the religious arm of he Communist Party of China’s United Front, will come into effect on 1 May, further restricting the religious activity of foreigners in the People’s Republic of China. The “Detailed Rules” clearly lay out in 38 articles the does and don’ts that foreigners of any denomination must submit in China. If they want to practise the…