CCP Expands Control Over Religion With New Online Code of Conduct

‘The authorities will also use this as a pretext to target normal religious activities, as a way to suppress human rights,’ a China expert said.

The Chinese flag flies in front of St. Joseph's Church, also known as Wangfujing Catholic Church, in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2020. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has issued new rules targeting the online activities of religious leaders, further tightening its control over faith groups. Analysts say the measures are a part of the CCP’s broader effort to suppress public expression of religious beliefs and control ordinary citizens.

On Sept. 16, China’s National Religious Affairs Administration released a new code of conduct for the online behavior of religious clergy.

The new code bans religious figures from being involved in “foreign religious infiltration, extremist ideologies, cults, and pseudo-religions.” It also emphasized that religious figures in China must endorse “patriotism, socialism, and the leadership of the CCP.”

New Rules After Shaolin Temple Scandal

Analysts suggest the move may be linked to the recent downfall of Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the famous Shaolin Temple. Shi was expelled from the Buddhist clergy in July and placed under investigation for alleged embezzlement, corruption, and maintaining romantic relationships that resulted in multiple children conceived out of wedlock, which is prohibited in Chinese Buddhism. He was also accused of turning the temple into a money-making machine through ticketed attractions and commercial ventures.

China current affairs commentator Li Linyi told The Epoch Times that although the scandal likely prompted Beijing to act, the new rules go far beyond one man.

“The so-called laws and regulations previously issued by the CCP had no effect on powerful figures like Shi Yongxin, who had political backing,” he said. “Now that Shi has fallen, they have introduced a new regulation. The authorities will also use this as a pretext to target normal religious activities, as a way to suppress human rights and to create new excuses for collecting fines everywhere.”

Wider Net of Control

The new code of conduct prohibits clergy from using online platforms—including livestreams, short videos, online meetings, WeChat groups, and even personal social media accounts—to preach, conduct online services, or participate in activities such as prayers, baptisms, or ordinations. It also stresses that online activities must uphold CCP leadership and must not contain content deemed to “subvert state power” or challenge the Party’s authority.

The rules apply not only within mainland China but also to religious personnel from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan and foreign nationals in China.

Critics have said the policy is less about regulating religious leaders than about controlling public communication.

“On the surface, it targets clergy, but in reality it affects ordinary citizens,” said Lin Song, a political science scholar at the University of New South Wales in Australia. “For many Chinese people, WeChat is also a way to stay connected with the outside world. Now that the CCP is tightening control even further, it is also affecting the ability of people in mainland China to communicate with Chinese communities overseas.”

A China-based independent scholar, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told The Epoch Times the timing reflects the regime’s insecurity.

“The CCP’s ideology has collapsed, and with the economy worsening, people are seeking spiritual comfort,” he said. “The CCP fears a rapid awakening among the public, so it bans this kind of expression.”

Broader Campaign Against Religious Liberty

Observers note that the new measures are part of a broader campaign against religious freedom under CCP leader Xi Jinping.

More than three years ago, in March 2022, Beijing introduced the Measures on the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services. That regulation required official approval for anyone disseminating religious teachings, services, or activities online through websites, apps, blogs, livestreams, or instant messaging platforms.

At a 2022 congressional hearing in Washington, Nury Turkel, former chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, warned that the regulation created a “chilling effect” on faith communities in China, especially unregistered religious groups, by criminalizing much of their online presence.

Now, with the latest code of conduct, Beijing is using religion as a new frontier for surveillance and censorship, experts said.

Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.