Can international students practise their religion in China?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
Universities in mainland China must respect international students' ethnic customs and religious beliefs, but they do not provide venues for religious activities. Missionary work, religious gatherings and any other religious activity are not allowed on campus under Article 29 of Order No. 42. Off campus, a separate regulation applies, and this page does not describe its content.
What the campus rules say
Order No. 42 is the Administrative Measures for the Enrolment and Education of International Students by Schools, issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security. The Chinese text is the source. The English below is this site's translation.
Article 29 says that universities shall respect the ethnic customs and religious beliefs of international students, but shall not provide venues for religious activities. It also says that no missionary work, religious gatherings or any other religious activity may be carried out on campus. Article 2 states that Chapters 2 to 5 (Articles 7 to 34) apply to higher education institutions, so these rules cover universities.
Article 27 allows international students, with the university's consent, to hold activities celebrating an important traditional festival of their own country, at places and within a scope the university designates. Such activities must not contain content that opposes or attacks other countries or nations, and must not violate public morality.
| Activity | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Religious activity on campus, such as missionary work or religious gatherings | Not allowed | Order No. 42, Article 29 |
| Venue for religious activity | Not provided by the university | Order No. 42, Article 29 |
| Celebration of the student's own national festival | Allowed with the university's consent, at a designated place and scope | Order No. 42, Article 27 |
| Chinese national festival celebrations | May take part voluntarily | Order No. 42, Article 26 |
Off campus
Article 43 of Order No. 42 says that public security and other competent departments handle violations of the laws and regulations it lists. The list includes the Regulations on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within China. This page has not examined that regulation, so it does not describe what it permits or prohibits. Read its text directly before relying on anything about religious activity outside the university.
Who decides
Order No. 42 is issued by the three ministries named above. Article 22 requires each university to name the office in charge of international student management. For a question about a specific campus, the university's international student office is the place to start. Article 25 also requires universities to set up counsellor posts for international students.
Related questions
Do international students have to respect Chinese customs?
Yes. Article 3 says international students must obey Chinese laws and regulations, respect Chinese customs and habits, follow school rules and complete their studies. Article 25 requires universities to teach students about Chinese customs and habits.
May international students take part in Chinese festival celebrations?
Yes, on a voluntary basis. Article 26 says international students may voluntarily take part in public welfare activities and in celebrations of major Chinese festivals.
Can international students hold a festival event from their own country on campus?
Yes, with the university's consent. Under Article 27, the event must take place at a place and within a scope the university designates, and it must not contain content that opposes or attacks other countries or nations, or violate public morality.
Sources
- Administrative Measures for the Enrolment and Education of International Students by Schools (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (moe.gov.cn)
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named. If the official text differs from this page, or if the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case differ, the official text and those instructions prevail.