The New Chinese Measures for Religious Activity Venues Come into Force on September 1: The Full Text
By Hu Zimo, from Anglican Ink.
Even worse than the draft version, the Measures will convert places of worship into branches of the CCP propaganda system. “Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation.
Last April, “Bitter Winter” revealed that a draft of new “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues,” intended to replace those of 2005, was being “circulated for comments.” Normally, this is a cosmetic exercise of pseudo-democracy, comments are ignored, and drafts become laws.
In this case, however, it appears that some comments came from official agencies and were taken into account. The final text of the Measures, which will come into force on September 1, is even worse than the draft. Not only it confirms that religious activity venues should actively broadcast CCP propaganda, or face liquidation. There are stricter provisions for including propaganda content in sermons, and establishing study groups of CCP documents in all places of worship. It is also specified that “It is prohibited to build large open-air religious statues outside of temples and churches,” and the prohibition also applies to private citizens or donors.
“Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation of the new Measures. For an easier understanding, consider that “religious group” refers to the government-controlled five authorized religions.
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Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Measures are formulated in accordance with the Constitution, relevant laws, and the Regulations on Religious Affairs to standardize the management of places of religious activity, protect normal religious activities, and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of places of religious activity and believing citizens.
Article 2 The term “places of religious activity” refers to monasteries, temples, mosques, churches (hereinafter referred to as “monasteries and churches”) and other fixed places for religious activities registered in accordance with the “Regulations on Religious Affairs” and other provisions.
Article 3 Places of religious activity shall uphold the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, abide by the Constitution, laws, rules and regulations and relevant provisions on the management of religious affairs, practice core socialist values, adhere to the direction of Sinicization of China’s religions, adhere to the principle of independence, autonomy and self-sufficiency, and safeguard the unity of the country, national unity, religious harmony and social stability.
No organization or individual may use places of religious activity to conduct activities that endanger national security, disrupt social order, harm the health of citizens, impede the national education system, violate public order and morals, or otherwise harm the interests of the State, the public interests of society, or the lawful rights and interests of citizens.
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