An anonymous church in Fujian, southeastern China obtained the “Internet religious information service license”, issued by the Fujian Provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs on April 12th.
According to an unverified picture circulated on the Internet, the license is valid until April 2025.
Since the Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services came into force on March 1, 2022, churches in China have started applying for the license to allow them to continue their online ministry.
According to the license issued to this Fujian church, it is entitled to provide three categories of service on the Internet: releasing religious information, reposting religious information and other religion-related Internet information service. The church is allowed to use a range of platforms, including its registered website, application or program, WeChat official account and video accounts on Tiktok and Kuaishou.
The New Grace Church in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, was known to be the first church in Zhejiang to obtain this license. In order to obtain the license, religious entities need to pass relevant exams and apply for specific documents as required by the provincial department of ethnic and religious affairs. Some churches, especially those in rural areas, still continue to struggle with the application.
