China plans licence system to crack down on ‘chaotic’ online promotion of religion

China has drawn up new draft guidelines to crack down on the “chaotic” and illegal online promotion of religion, the official Global Times reported on Tuesday, part of a tough state campaign to bring religious worship into line.

All organisations engaged in the dissemination of religious information online will be obliged to apply for licences from provincial religious affairs departments, the newspaper said, citing a policy document issued on Monday.

While the licence will enable them to “preach and offer religious training”, they will not be allowed to live-stream or broadcast religious activities. The dissemination of religious information anywhere other than their own internet platforms is also forbidden.

Those engaging in online religious information services are prohibited from business promotions in the name of religion, distributing religious supplies and publications, establishing religious organisations and venues and developing believers of religions.

No organisations or individuals are allowed to live-stream or broadcast religious activities including praying, burning incense, worshipping or receiving baptism online in the form of text, photo, audio or video.

The guidelines also specifically prohibit online religious services from inciting subversion, opposing the leadership of the Communist Party and promoting extremism and separatism.