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China religious belief checks (Img AI Generated)
New Delhi: Authorities in Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province, have reportedly expanded checks on religious beliefs among employees in public institutions and students in schools, according to a report citing leaked internal documents and anonymous sources.
The report, published by The Epoch Times on August 14, claimed that information about religious affiliations is being collected from hospital workers, students, and their family members as part of broader ideological and religious monitoring measures.
An internal notice issued by a public hospital in Chengdu reportedly instructed officials to conduct a detailed survey of religious beliefs among all employees, including permanent staff, contract workers, and temporary employees. The exercise was described as part of routine checks related to ideological, ethnic, and religious affairs.
According to the reported notice, employees must disclose their religious affiliations, while those without any religious beliefs are required to register as having “no religious belief.” The instructions reportedly warned against hiding or leaving out any information.
The notice also stated that members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are not allowed to practice religion. Employees with religious beliefs must report the details to their Party branches, while religious activities and attempts to promote faith within workplaces are prohibited.
A university administrative staff member in Sichuan reportedly said that educational institutions are also collecting information about students’ religious backgrounds, including details about their family members, and submitting the data to higher authorities.
An official from Chengdu’s education department reportedly said that background checks, including information related to religious beliefs, are carried out annually for new students before admission.
The measures are being linked to China’s broader approach toward religious management, under which religious groups are required to operate within state regulations and align with government policies. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for strengthening Party oversight over religious affairs through policies including the “Sinicization” of religion.
