China: Adopted Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services including content moderation regulation

On 3 December 2021, the Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services were adopted, to be implemented on 1 March 2022. The Measures prohibit content using religion to incite subversion of state sovereignty, to oppose the leadership of the Communist Party, to undermine the Socialist system, national and ethnic unity, and social stability, or to advocate extremism, terrorism, ethnic separatism, and religious fanaticism; using religion to obstruct the justice, education, marriage, or social management systems; using religion to propagate cults and feudal superstition, or using religion to harm physical health, or obtain assets through fraud or coercion; contravening the principle of independence from religion and self-governance; undermining the coexistence between different religions, groups within the same religion, or between religious and non-religious groups; discriminating against or insults to religious or non-religious citizens, or harming religious or non-religious citizen's rights and interests; engaging in unlawful religious activities or facilitating unlawful religious activities; inducing minors to adopt a faith, or organising or forcing minors to participate in religious activities; carrying out commercial propaganda in the name of religion, commercialising or distributing religious articles, information or publications; impersonating religious officials; or other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations. Further, the Measures set out restrictions on conducting religious rituals, ceremonies, and donations online.