In an escalation of its already tight grip on religious freedom, China introduced a sweeping set of regulations that strictly control how clergy of officially recognized religions can operate online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new rules \u2013 released by the State Administration for Religious Affairs on Sept, 15 \u2013 are a continuation of Beijing’s long-term campaign to control religious practices in an effort to reshape faith so it aligns with the Chinese Communist Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 18-article document, titled \u201cCode of Conduct for Religious Clergy on the Internet,\u201d outlines<\/a> what religious leaders in China are allowed to do in the digital space. More significantly, it focuses on what they are forbidden from doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rules apply to clergy of all five officially recognized religions \u2014 Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism \u2014 allowed to practice within China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China\u2019s policy of \u201csinicizing\u201d is an effort by the CCP to control and assimilate ethnic and religious groups into a state-approved \u2014 and largely Han Chinese \u2014 identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> #China<\/a> tightens digital grip on clergy with sweeping new rules https:\/\/t.co\/mBrRyxLl9q<\/a><\/p>— Clemente Lisi (@ClementeLisi) September 19, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>