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Religion in China

Religion in China
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion in China. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Hung Shing Temple is believed to have been built between 1847 and 1852. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Board backs proposal to give temple, mosque highest level of heritage protection

Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque should be classified as statutory monuments, Antiquities Advisory Board says.

My Life

Meet the Reverend Will Newman, chaplain of Hong Kong’s St John’s Cathedral and Stanley Prison

Trending in China

Video game-loving China monk says hobby and religion have similar life purposes

China’s Communist Party

China must ‘strengthen education’ of Tibetan Buddhists, Beijing official says

On inspection tour, Li Ganjie urges local authorities to promote new ‘unity’ law to ethnic minority groups.

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Li Ganjie is head of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department and a member of the now 22-man Politburo. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2026

China codifies ethnic assimilation with new ‘unity’ law as it counters the West

Legal safeguards heed Xi Jinping’s call to foster ‘shared spiritual home’ with an eye on staving off ‘domestic friction’, analysts say.

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Religion

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

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Art

Hong Kong’s women tattoo artists who draw on Chinese culture to ink differently

These artists channel elements of Chinese painting, calligraphy and Buddhism through their needles in a new form of ‘poetic expression’.

Bella Yuen tells the Post that, as a child, she used to go to Buddhist temples and chapels in Hong Kong with her Buddhist mother. She also read Chinese Buddhist texts and practised calligraphy briefly, which “planted the seed” of her unique traditional Chinese tattooing style now. Photo: Bella Yuen
Shaolin Temple

‘CEO monk’ scandal: China creates new oversight body for Buddhist clergy

Beijing’s fourth-ranking official Wang Huning urges association to exercise ‘comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion’.

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Shaolin Temple

China’s scandal-hit Shaolin Temple urged to draw line between business, religion

Provincial Communist Party boss on impromptu visit calls on temple’s new leadership to protect reputation and return to ‘true teachings’.

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China’s Communist Party

Panchen Lama says reincarnation must follow Chinese laws, be endorsed by Beijing

Second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism makes apparent reference to succession of exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

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The Panchen Lama (right) says reincarnated living Buddhas must be identified within China and approved by the central government. Photo: Handout
Religion

On This Day | The pope visits Hong Kong for 3 hours in 1970 – SCMP archive

Fifty-five years ago on December 4, 1970, throngs of Hongkongers greeted Pope Paul VI during his historic three-hour trip.

Pope Paul VI on a three-hour visit to Hong Kong, greets his followers as he arrives for mass at the Hong Kong Stadium on December 4, 1970. Photo: SCMP
Mainland China

Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin closer to prosecution over money scandals

Famed ‘CEO monk’ of kung fu cradle was removed in July over allegations including embezzlement and ‘seriously violating’ Buddhist principles.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | How ancient Chinese sects have foretold Rapture-like divine ends for millennia

Christian groups prophesise paradisiacal new beginnings today, but similar visions existed throughout imperial Chinese history.

China’s Communist Party

Religion must align with law for ethnic and social harmony in China, Xi says

During a Politburo study session, Xi Jinping says Beijing must ‘implement strict law enforcement’ regarding religion.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently visited Tibet and Xinjiang, has called for China’s religious leaders to be better “guided” to embody Chinese characteristics in religious doctrines, rules, management systems, rituals and customs. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese culture

How China’s earliest 3 dynasties shaped its society and culture

From 2070BC to 256BC, the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties paved the way for Chinese society with Taoism, written language, music and more.

A Chinese oracle bone from the Shang dynasty (1600BC-1046BC) at Hong Kong’s Chinese Culture Festival 2025. Inscriptions on these bones are the most ancient form of written Chinese ever found. Photo: Nora Tam
China-Vatican relations

Editorial | Cardinal’s meeting with Pope a good sign for Sino-Vatican relations

Hong Kong’s Catholic church has traditionally played a role in bridging the Vatican and the mainland, and it should continue to contribute in this way.

Hong Kong politics

Pope Leo XIV pledges commitment to Beijing-Vatican ties: Hong Kong cardinal

Cardinal Stephen Chow reveals details after meeting the new pope for ‘an in-depth exchange on the situation of the church in China’.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Shaolin Temple scandal would have led to far harsher reactions in China’s past

The resolution of the temple’s recent shameful episode is much more civilised than the violent purges of Buddhism in China’s history.

Shi Yongxin (pictured here in 2006), the former abbot of China’s Shaolin Temple, is facing an official investigation for financial and sexual misconduct. China Photos: Getty Images
Shaolin Temple

After Shaolin Temple scandal, China’s Buddhists urged to obey law and pay taxes

Buddhist regulator calls on believers to be patriotic as it doubles down on condemnation of famous temple’s disgraced former abbot.

Religion

Shaolin’s ‘CEO monk’ scandal may prompt overhaul of how temples are run in China

While long-time abbot Shi Yongxin faces criminal investigation it’s business as usual at the temple, but it could be a turning point.

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Legacy of war in Asia

Letters | Nanking massacre film speaks to the resilience of ordinary Chinese

Readers discuss a reckoning with the second world war, and a Buddhist monk’s downfall.

On Chinese social media, many have said that although Dead to Rights is difficult to watch, it is a must-see. Photo: China Film Group Corporation
Corruption in China

Editorial | Investigation into Shaolin Temple’s ‘CEO monk’ a chance to clear the air

The probe is an opportunity to review the temple’s management and ensure the brand is promoted without compromising what makes it special.

Shi Yongxin, then abbot of the Shaolin Temple, at the famous temple in China’s central Henan province, in November 2009. Photo: AFP
Crime in China

China’s Shaolin Temple gets new abbot after scandal fells Shi Yongxin

White Horse Temple abbot Shi Yinle will replace Shaolin head who is under investigation for alleged financial and sexual misconduct.

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Corruption in China

Disgraced head of China’s famed Shaolin Temple defrocked, firms deregistered

Swift move to erase institutional footprint of ‘CEO monk’ follows revelation of criminal charges for offences including embezzling funds and temple assets.

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Corruption in China

Abbot of China’s world-famous Shaolin Temple under criminal investigation

Temple accuses Shi Yongxin of embezzling project funds and temple assets, seriously violating Buddhist precepts and of sexual misconduct.

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Shi Yongxin (centre), abbot of the Shaolin Temple in central China, is under joint investigation by multiple departments. Photo: Getty Images
Trending in China

Public outrage as China monk berates elderly couple for ‘too small’ rice donation

Buddhist monk accused of ‘worshipping money’ after throwing bag of rice out of temple hall, telling pair not to return for prayers.

A monk at a sacred temple in China has sparked public outrage after he berated an elderly couple for giving a donation of rice that he considered “too small”. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Tibet

Beijing says Dalai Lama’s succession plan breaks tradition, tensions set to rise

Beijing’s foreign ministry responds to the exiled spiritual leader who says his office has sole authority to recognise next Dalai Lama.

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China’s Communist Party

Chinese religious groups warned of ‘hidden danger’ from foreign infiltration

United Front chief Li Ganjie’s message to faith groups follows Xi Jinping’s call to ‘Sinicise’ religion in meeting with Tibet’s Panchen Lama.

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