In China, measures were taken to administer religious services on the Internet, “aimed at standardizing the network services of religious information and a guarantee of freedom of religion.” This is reported by the Chinese publication Global Times.
The authorities adopted new rules on the basis of the Cybersecurity Act and the Regulations on Religious Affairs. According to adopted measures, any Chinese organization or an individual, providing online religious services, should apply to provincial departments for religions. They can only preach after the permission will receive. Participants in religious sites can only be registered under the present names.
Judging by the new rules, Official Beijing was frightened that preachers would use Internet resources to disseminate “unwanted information” or even the organization of the state version. This is indicated that the provisions that “sermons must contribute to social harmony” and “to send religious people to patriotism.” In addition, the authorities are forbidden to publish content, which incites the power to undermine the authorities.
This is not the first time the Chinese authorities are trying to “adjust” religious flows in the country. In 2016, a campaign began in the country to unify all the manifestations of religion. So, many mosques in the country obliged to change the dome in Middle Eastern style to the Chinese Pagoda roof. In addition, Islamic restaurants and shops of large cities ordered to remove with signs of inscriptions in Arabic and Islamic symbols.