{"id":7876,"date":"2023-10-23T14:59:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/10-things-to-know-about-chinas-policies-on-religion\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T23:59:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T03:59:34","slug":"10-things-to-know-about-chinas-policies-on-religion","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/10\/23\/10-things-to-know-about-chinas-policies-on-religion\/","title":{"rendered":"10 things to know about China\u2019s policies on religion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SR_23.10.23_china-policies_featured-jpg.webp?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-442846\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Wang Zhao\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier this year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/china\/religion-controls-08032023122520.html\">China issued new rules on religious activity<\/a> that tighten oversight of clergy and congregations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rules are part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2018\/10\/11\/recent-chinese-dealings-with-faith-groups-reflect-a-pattern-of-government-restrictions-on-religion\/\">long-standing strategy by the Chinese government<\/a> to align religion with communism and ensure loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which espouses and promotes atheism. <a href=\"https:\/\/brill.com\/edcollbook\/title\/59330?language=en\">More recently<\/a>, such rules have also been intended to bring religion in line with traditional Chinese culture and with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/02\/26\/world\/asia\/xi-jinping-thought-explained-a-new-ideology-for-a-new-era.html\">\u201cXi Jinping Thought,\u201d<\/a> the Chinese leader\u2019s blend of Marxism and nationalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">China\u2019s constitution says ordinary citizens enjoy \u201cfreedom of religious beliefs\u201d and the government officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Daoism (also called Taoism). But authorities closely police religious activity. China has ranked among the world\u2019s most restrictive governments every year since <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2019\/07\/15\/a-closer-look-at-how-religious-restrictions-have-risen-around-the-world\/\">Pew Research Center began tracking restrictions on religion<\/a>&nbsp;in 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-did-this\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-did-this&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we did this<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This analysis of China\u2019s policies on religion is based on our recent report, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2023\/08\/30\/measuring-religion-in-china\/\">\u201cMeasuring Religion in China.\u201d<\/a> Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2023\/08\/30\/religion-china-methodology\/\">methodology of the report<\/a>. Additional information in this analysis comes from external sources that can be accessed through the links in the text.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are 10 things to know about how the Chinese government regulates religion, from our recent report, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2023\/08\/30\/measuring-religion-in-china\/\">\u201cMeasuring Religion in China.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>China is pursuing a policy of \u201cSinicization\u201d that requires religious groups to align their doctrines, customs and morality with Chinese culture.<\/strong> The campaign particularly affects so-called \u201cforeign\u201d religions \u2013 including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/uyghur\/uyghur-sinicizing-islam-09142023171912.html\">Islam<\/a> as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/china\/2022\/11\/22\/china-wants-to-sinicise-its-catholics\">Catholicism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bitterwinter.org\/sinicization-of-christianity-in-full-speed-after-the-100th-anniversary\/\">Protestantism<\/a> \u2013 whose adherents are expected to prioritize Chinese traditions and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/news\/2017\/november\/china-christians-jesus-communist-president-xi-jinping-yugan.html\">show loyalty to the state<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sinicization takes various forms.<\/strong> Authorities have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/05\/22\/world\/asia\/china-christians-zhejiang.html\">removed crosses from churches<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/10\/24\/1047054983\/china-muslims-sinicization\">demolished the domes and minarets of mosques<\/a> to make them look more Chinese. Pastors and imams have reportedly been asked to <a href=\"https:\/\/bitterwinter.org\/sinicizing-the-bible-jesus-apparently-was-a-socialist\/\">focus on religious teachings that reflect socialist values<\/a>. The government also plans to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chinalawtranslate.com\/en\/islamsinifcationplan\/\">issue a newly annotated version of the Quran<\/a> that will help Islamic teachings align with \u201cChinese culture in the new era.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9670\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/10\/23\/10-things-to-know-about-chinas-policies-on-religion\/sr_23-10-23_china-policies_01-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1e9ef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1e9ef;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"469\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?w=420\" alt=\"A map showing that China\u2019s predominantly Muslim groups are heavily concentrated in the northwest of the country\" class=\"wp-image-9670 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=269,300 269w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=768,858 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=363,405 363w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=200,223 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=260,290 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=310,346 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=420,469 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=640,715 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=740,826 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=160,179 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_01.png?resize=320,357 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>China\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chinalawtranslate.com\/en\/islamsinifcationplan\/\">restrictive policies toward Muslims<\/a> \u2013 particularly Uyghurs in Xinjiang province \u2013 have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/xinjiang\">documented widely over the past decade<\/a>. <\/strong>Human rights groups accuse China of subjecting Uyghurs to mass internment, surveillance and torture. The U.S. State Department has <a href=\"https:\/\/2017-2021.state.gov\/determination-of-the-secretary-of-state-on-atrocities-in-xinjiang\/\">described events in Xinjiang as genocide<\/a>, alleging that Chinese authorities have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom\/china\/xinjiang\/\">detained more than 1 million Chinese Muslims<\/a> in specially built internment camps. Uyghurs make up 43% of Chinese Muslims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">China\u2019s government rejects the accusations and says that relocations, camps and other forced measures are meant to improve Muslims\u2019 lives. For example, Chinese officials have said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-china-54195325\">camps in Xinjiang offer vocational training<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/english.scio.gov.cn\/2019-03\/19\/content_74585093_5.htm\">counter religious extremism<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Christianity in China is governed by several sets of rules.<\/strong> Christians are allowed to worship in \u201cofficial churches\u201d registered with supervisory government agencies responsible for <a href=\"https:\/\/en.ccctspm.org\/\">Protestantism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chinacatholic.cn\/\">Catholicism<\/a>. However, many Christians refuse this oversight and worship in underground churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Xi came to power in 2013, the government has banned evangelization online, tightened control over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/china\/politics\/article\/3160689\/chinas-latest-crackdown-religion-bans-foreigners-spreading\">Christian activities outside of registered venues<\/a>, and shut down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2019\/12\/30\/792293186\/china-sentences-christian-leader-to-9-years-prison\">churches that refuse to register<\/a>. Authorities have also <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/religion-china-arrests-beijing-hong-kong-eff0b1cff01a12abb8869c2d58d02911\">arrested prominent church leaders<\/a> and some Christians reportedly have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom\/china\/xinjiang\/\">held in internment camps<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2018, <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pope-francis-china-asia-religion-78a3433674c968aa65faaa581b999328\">the Vatican and China<\/a> signed an agreement over bishop appointments to help alleviate tensions for China\u2019s Catholics \u2013 a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/opinion\/2020\/10\/10\/china-and-christianity-vatican-deal-china-allows-persecution-column\/5899207002\/\">deal that was criticized by many<\/a>. Since then, the Chinese government has stepped up efforts to&nbsp;bring Catholic churches into the official system and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/9\/26\/a-jealous-god-china-remakes-religions-in-its-own-image\">intensified its pressure<\/a>&nbsp;on those that refuse to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>China treats Buddhism \u2013 particularly <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/09\/21\/6-facts-about-buddhism-in-china\">Han Buddhism<\/a>, the most widespread branch in the country \u2013 more leniently than Christianity or Islam.<\/strong> Xi frequently praises Han Buddhists for having integrated Confucian, Daoist and other traditional Chinese beliefs and practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, China has cracked down on Tibetan Buddhists. Recently, Chinese authorities have been accused of carrying out&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/xi-jinping-is-my-spiritual-leader-chinas-education-drive-tibet-2021-06-11\/\">\u201cpolitical re-education\u201d campaigns<\/a>&nbsp;meant to cement allegiance to Xi and discourage loyalty to the exiled Dalai Lama. Moreover, the Chinese government has been criticized for tearing down Tibetan Buddhist monuments, including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-china-36863888\">monasteries<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/tibet\/statue-02282022155542.html\">statues<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2023\/08\/30\/measuring-religion-in-china\/#cultural-traditions-with-spiritual-underpinnings\">Folk religion and ancient spiritual traditions<\/a> play a large role in China.<\/strong> The government encourages some activities that it considers to be part of China\u2019s cultural heritage and has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/12\/21\/opinion\/sunday\/chinas-religion-xi.html\">financed the renovation of some folk religion temples<\/a>. People in China are allowed to venerate the Chinese philosopher Confucius and participate in temple festivals where folk deities \u2013 e.g., <em>Mazu<\/em>, the goddess of the sea \u2013 are worshipped. Authorities have also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/china\/2023\/06\/15\/china-hopes-mazu-a-sea-goddess-can-help-it-win-over-taiwan\">brought Mazu festivals to Taiwanese worshipers<\/a> as a way to gain political favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Chinese government has tasked local governments with regulating folk religious activities to ensure they reflect cultural heritage and are guided by socialist values. Since 2015, local authorities have been registering temples with historical and cultural importance and making efforts to bring their staff and activity under state supervision. In some provinces, temples that local authorities perceived as socially and culturally insignificant have been <a href=\"https:\/\/bitterwinter.org\/crackdown-on-chinas-folk-religions-6000-temples-destroyed\/\">demolished or closed, or converted<\/a> into secular facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Religious activity that falls outside of the five officially recognized religions and does not meet the government\u2019s approval as a form of cultural heritage is often categorized by authorities as \u201csuperstition\u201d or \u201cevil cult.\u201d<\/strong> For instance, Chinese law forbids witchcraft and sorcery, and the government opposes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/opinion\/2017-03\/28\/content_28700775.htm\">folk religious practices that include a superstitious element<\/a> such as setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some groups, including <em>Falun Gong<\/em>, the Unification Church and the Children of God, <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2014\/06\/06\/chinese-state-media-warns-against-14-evil-cults\/\">are considered cults and banned<\/a>. The government has been accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/hrwf.eu\/database-falun-gong-prisoners\/\">arresting Falun Gong practitioners<\/a> and subjecting them to systematic torture, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/humanrightscommission.house.gov\/events\/hearings\/forced-organ-harvesting-china-examining-evidence\">organ harvesting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-200-wide\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9673\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/10\/23\/10-things-to-know-about-chinas-policies-on-religion\/sr_23-10-23_china-policies_02-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eeeeee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eeeeee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" height=\"340\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?w=200\" alt=\"A table showing that 1 in 5 Chinese people are tied to a Communist Party organization\" class=\"wp-image-9673 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png 400w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=176,300 176w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=238,405 238w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=200,340 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=260,442 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=310,527 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=160,272 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/10\/sr_23.10.23_china-policies_02.png?resize=320,544 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The ruling Chinese Communist Party promotes atheism and discourages citizens from practicing religion.<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/09\/05\/chinese-communist-party-promotes-atheism-but-many-members-still-partake-in-religious-customs\/\">281 million Chinese people who belong to the CCP<\/a> or its affiliated youth organizations are officially banned from engaging in a broad range of spiritual activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the CCP tolerates occasional engagement in cultural customs. For example,&nbsp;it is acceptable to <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2017\/10\/is-it-ok-for-communist-party-members-to-visit-temples\/\">visit temples every once in a while<\/a>. But visiting temples for all important religious days&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-religion\/uncertain-times-fuel-occult-beliefs-in-chinas-party-hierarchy-idUSKCN0Q307Q20150729\">frequently consulting fortunetellers<\/a> can lead to expulsion from the CCP. Nevertheless, some CCP members&nbsp;do&nbsp;identify with a religion or engage in religious practices, though generally at lower rates than non-CCP members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Children under 18 are constitutionally prohibited from having any formal religious affiliation in China.<\/strong> There is also a ban on religious education, including Sunday schools, religious summer camps and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-xinjiang\/china-targets-parents-in-new-religion-rules-for-xinjiang-idUSKCN12C0A6\">other forms of youth religious groups<\/a>. Schools focus on promoting non-religion and atheism, and many children join CCP-affiliated youth groups, where they must pledge commitment to atheism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>China\u2019s attitude toward religion dates back to the founding of the People\u2019s Republic of China in 1949.<\/strong> Early CCP leaders denounced religion as linked to \u201cforeign cultural imperialism,\u201d \u201cfeudalism\u201d and \u201csuperstition,\u201d and persecuted religious groups across the board. &nbsp;During the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2016\/may\/11\/the-cultural-revolution-50-years-on-all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-political-convulsion\">Cultural Revolution<\/a> (1966-76), CCP chairman Mao Zedong vowed to eliminate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1971\/05\/19\/archives\/china-transformed-by-elimination-of-four-olds.html\">\u201cold things, old ideas, old customs and old habits,\u201d<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/10\/04\/world\/asia\/tibet-china-cultural-revolution-photographs.html\">Red Guards attacked or destroyed<\/a>&nbsp;many temples, shrines, churches and mosques.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Chinese government closely regulates religious activity \u2013 here are 10 things to know about their policies on 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