China

China's National Religious Affairs Administration issued a set of rules on the management of online behaviors for clerical personnel, which included activities such as online preaching scriptures and providing religious education or training on the internet, according to a release on the official website of National Religious Affairs Administration on Tuesday.

The 18-article document details provisions for religious personnel's online conduct, requiring clerical personnel to comply with national laws and relevant regulations.

The regulation stipulates that religious personnel's online scripture preaching and religious education or training can only be conducted through legally established websites, apps, forums, or other online platforms operated by religious groups, religious institutions, temples, or churches that have obtained the license to provide online religious information services issued by official departments.

The regulation prohibits clerical personnel from engaging in online self-promotion, supporting or participating in overseas religious infiltration activities, spreading religious extremist ideologies, promoting cults or heresies, or profiting from religion.

The new rules are intended to implement existing laws on religious affairs, standardize the online behavior of religious personnel, and maintain order in online religious activities.

Previously, the Buddhist Association of China announced in July that it has agreed to revoke the ordination certificate of Shi Yongxin, former abbot of the renowned Shaolin Temple, over suspected criminal offenses, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Shi Yongxin is suspected of criminal offences, including embezzling and misappropriating project funds and temple assets. He has also been accused of serious violations of Buddhist precepts, maintaining long-term inappropriate relationships with multiple women and having at least one illegitimate child, Xinhua reported, citing the Shaolin Temple management office.