Chinese Catholics and other Christians, along with people of other faiths, who wish to post religious information and teaching online must in future apply for a licence.
China issued draft regulations on 10 September, which stipulate that those wishing to disseminate religious teachings and information online must apply for a license and meet certain requirements.
The draft suggests a broad range of online actions would be covered, including “texts, pictures, audio and video, etc. through Internet sites, applications, forums, blogs, microblogs, public accounts, instant messaging tools, and live webcasts.” The draft also contains broadly worded prohibitions against undermining national unity and social stability, attacking the state’s religious policies and regulations, and inciting minors to participate in religious activities.
These draft regulations were issued one day after officials in Beijing shut down one of the city’s largest unregistered house churches, Zion Church, following months of pressure. This comes two months after 34 house churches in Beijing released a joint statement calling on the government to respect the basic freedom and rights of religious citizens.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “The closure of Zion Church in Beijing is just one of numerous shocking violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief committed by the Chinese authorities in this year alone. Across China there has been a systematic, targeted campaign of harassment against both registered and unregistered, Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as grave violations against Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and people of other beliefs. We call on the Chinese authorities to end this systemic repression of religious believers in China, and urge the government to release all of those detained for their religious affiliation and peaceful practice.”