China Introduces New Repressive Rules on Foreign Religious Activity

Starting May 1, 2025, the People’s Republic of China will enforce new regulations that severely restrict — and effectively ban — any missionary activity by foreigners without special government approval. According to decrees issued by the Chinese Communist Party, foreigners will now be prohibited from preaching and spreading their faith, forming religious groups without state authorization, or engaging in any independent missionary work. This was reported by International Christian Concern.

The official justification for the new measures is the “protection of national security” and the maintenance of “normal religious order,” which refers solely to state-controlled structures. Specifically, institutions such as the Protestant “Three-Self Patriotic Movement” and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association are cited. These organizations are not only required to align their operations with party directives but also to promote Communist Party ideology and the personality cult of Xi Jinping — even during religious practices.

Meanwhile, so-called “house churches,” which operate outside the official registration system, are labeled by the authorities as “cults” or “extremist organizations.” Their leaders are persecuted, detained, and prosecuted.

Earlier, we reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement on the situation of freedom of conscience in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. The document records “systematic repression” against religious organizations not subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Church.