Religious citizens in China’s Henan province are now required to register with the government’s new “Smart Religion” app before participating in worship services. The move, reported by Chinese human rights advocacy group ChinaAid on March 6th, has caused concern among believers in the region.
According to ChinaAid, individuals seeking to attend religious services must fill out a government form and verify their place of worship before being allowed to gather with fellow believers. The form requires personal information, including name, phone number, ID number, permanent residence, occupation, and date of birth.
In addition, those who are allowed into the church must also have their temperature taken and show a reservation code. The system has been rolled out as a way to manage and monitor religious gatherings in the region.
The People’s Republic of China is governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has a policy of secularism. While religious worship is not explicitly illegal, it is increasingly viewed with suspicion and monitored by the authorities.
Many faith communities have been targeted by the government, especially those found to be insufficiently patriotic or assimilated into Chinese culture. The CCP has also been running concentration camps for the detention and re-education of Uyghur Muslims.
The move to require registration through a government app has been criticized by religious freedom advocates. They argue that the new system is yet another way for the government to control and monitor religious activity in the country.
The use of technology to manage religious gatherings is not new in China. In 2018, the government introduced a social credit system that includes a rating system for religious organizations.
The rating system is used to determine which groups are deemed “safe” and “normal” and which are seen as “untrustworthy” or “illegal.” This has led to the closure of many churches and other religious institutions across the country.
The new Smart Religion app is another tool for the government to keep tabs on religious activity in China. For those who wish to practice their faith, it is yet another hurdle to overcome in a country where religious freedom is becoming increasingly restricted.
As China continues to grapple with issues of social control and political dissent, it remains to be seen how far the government will go in its efforts to regulate religious activity in the country.