Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Foreigners' Religious Activities

(31 January 1994)

Article1 These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Constitution so as to safeguard the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within the territory of the People's Republic of China and safeguard the public interest.

Article2 The People's Republic of China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within the territory of China and protects the friendly exchanges and cultural and academic exchanges between foreigners and China's religious circles in the field of religion.

Article3  Foreigners may participate in religious activities in monasteries, palaces, mosques, teachings and other religious activity sites within the territory of China. At the invitation of religious groups at or above the provincial, autonomous region, or directly governed municipality, foreigners may preach scriptures and sermons at places of religious activity in China.

Article4 Foreigners may hold religious activities in places recognized by the religious affairs departments of people's governments at the county level or above.

Article5 Foreigners within the territory of China may invite Chinese religious professionals to hold religious ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, and dojo pujas.

Article6 Foreigners entering China's territory may bring with them religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles for their own use;

Bringing religious printed materials, religious audio-visual products and other religious articles beyond one's own use into the country shall be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Chinese Customs. It is forbidden to bring into the country religious printed materials and religious audio-visual products with content that endangers the public interest of Chinese society.

Article7 Foreigners recruiting students studying abroad to train religious professionals or to study or give lectures in Chinese religious schools within the territory of China shall be handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of China.

Article8 Foreigners carrying out religious activities within the territory of China shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations, and must not establish religious organizations, set up religious offices, set up religious activity sites, or open religious schools within the territory of China, and must not recruit believers, appoint religious professionals, or conduct other missionary activities among Chinese citizens.

Article9 Where foreigners violate these Provisions in carrying out religious activities, the religious affairs departments of people's governments at the county level or above and other relevant departments shall discourage and stop them; Where it constitutes a violation of the entry and exit administration of foreigners or public security administration, the public security organ shall punish it in accordance with law; Where a crime is constituted, the judicial organ shall pursue criminal responsibility in accordance with law.

Article10 These Provisions apply to the religious activities of foreign organizations within the territory of the People's Republic of China.

Article11 These Provisions shall be referred to for Chinese citizens residing abroad within the territory of China, Taiwan residents in the mainland, and Hong Kong and Macao residents carrying out religious activities in the mainland.

Article12 The religious affairs department under the State Council is responsible for the interpretation of these Provisions.

Article13 These Provisions shall take effect on the date of promulgation.