China has issued a sweeping new code of conduct banning priests and preachers of all faiths from using the internet to carry out religious activities.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs published the Code of Conduct for Religious Teachers and Personnel through state media on 15 September. The code, which contains 18 articles, came into force immediately and lays down new rules on online activity for clergy and religious personnel.
Among the prohibitions are bans on online preaching, live-streaming liturgies, prayer meetings, and the religious instruction of children. Clergy are not permitted to distribute religious publications digitally or organise any form of online worship. The regulations also forbid raising money online for religious purposes, including the construction of churches.
