Campus rules for international students: activities, festivals, associations and religion

Order No. 42, the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, sets the campus conduct rules for international students. Its Articles 26 to 29 cover activities, national festivals, associations and religion, and Article 3 sets the basic duties. Section 12.4 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) of 2018 adds a rule on the language of school management rules.

This page is a plain guide. The English is this site's translation of the Chinese text. See also X1 or X2 on this site.

Basic duties (Article 3)

Article 3, second paragraph, of Order No. 42 says that international students shall obey Chinese laws and regulations, respect Chinese customs and habits, obey the school's rules and regulations, and complete the school's study tasks.

Orientation education (Article 25)

Article 25, first paragraph, of Order No. 42 says that higher education institutions shall give international students education on Chinese laws and regulations, school discipline and rules, conditions in China and at the school, Chinese excellent traditional culture, and customs and habits. The aim stated is to help students become familiar with and adapt to their study and living environment as soon as possible.

Activities and military training (Article 26)

Article 26 of Order No. 42 makes three points.

• The first paragraph says the university encourages international students to take part in sports and cultural activities that are beneficial to physical and mental health, and provides convenient conditions for doing so.
• The first paragraph also says international students may voluntarily take part in public welfare activities and in celebrations of major Chinese festivals.
• The second paragraph says that, as a rule, higher education institutions do not organise military training or political activities for international students.

National festivals (Article 27)

Article 27 of Order No. 42 says that, with the consent of the university, international students may hold activities celebrating an important traditional national festival of their country, at places and within the scope designated on campus. These activities may not contain content that opposes or attacks other countries or nations, and may not include words or deeds that violate public morality.

Associations (Article 28)

Article 28 of Order No. 42 says that, with the university's approval, international students may set up friendship associations within the school. These associations operate within the scope set by Chinese laws and regulations, and they accept the school's guidance and management.

Customs and religion (Article 29)

Article 29 of Order No. 42 says that higher education institutions shall respect international students' ethnic customs and religious beliefs, but the university does not provide venues for religious activities. The same article says that religious activities of any kind, including preaching and religious gatherings, may not be carried out within the school.

Rules on management language (section 12.4)

Section 12.4 (institution building) of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, says the following.

• Higher education institutions shall establish and improve management and service systems for international students.
• Their education and management rules for international students shall be expressed in the national common language.
• Where a translation in a foreign language is provided for reference, it shall be clearly stated that the translation is not a basis for management.

Sources

• Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42), Ministry of Education of the PRC (moe.gov.cn)
• Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), Ministry of Education of the PRC (moe.gov.cn)

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security or any other body named here. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this page, the official text and those instructions prevail.