Chai Brady
China has signed off on revised religious regulations which will lead to greater government control of religions in the communist-run country.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs announced that the leading Chinese Communist Party (CCP) signed the State Council order for the newly revised Regulations for Religious Affairs (RRA) which will be implemented on February 1, 2018.
Revisions
The revisions include the financial management of religious circles and the regulation of religious information services on the internet.
There are “two clarifications” which explain the legal liability of religious venues and religious property rights, and to clarify measures to curb religious commercialisation.
The RRA was formally implemented in 2005 with the aim to promote the process of legalisation of religious work, protecting the right to freedom of religious belief and managing religious affairs according to the law.
The CCP pointed out that due to rapid changes, internationally and domestically, new circumstances have surfaced in the religious field.