China's Ministry of Public Security Photo: VCG

China's public security authorities intensified efforts to dismantle cult organizations in 2024, focusing on risk prevention, law enforcement, and comprehensive governance. They have worked to curb the growth and spread of cult organizations, mitigating potential threats to national political security and maintaining social stability, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) stated on its WeChat account on Thursday.

Public security authorities have intensified special operations against Falun Gong, "Almighty God," and other cult organizations, enhancing enforcement efforts to disrupt and prevent unlawful cult operations, according to the MPS.

To curb the spread of cult organizations, public security agencies nationwide have expanded the "spring rain project," focusing on rural and grassroots communities and offering psychological counseling and support. They also help individuals misled into cults reintegrate into society and address practical family difficulties. These initiatives have bolstered anti-cult efforts, creating a more secure and stable society, according to the MPS. 

While fighting against the cult organizations, public security authorities have cracked down on institutions conducting illegal training under the guise of "spiritual cultivation." Several organizations that fraudulently marketed "psychological healing" and "self-improvement" programs were found to be engaged in unlawful activities and were dealt with accordingly. These measures protected public well-being and prevented financial exploitation, the MPS stated.

Public security authorities across the country have also carried out anti-cult education in villages, universities, primary and secondary schools, residential communities, governmental institutions, and enterprises to enhance public vigilance against cult recruitment efforts.

In 2024, public security units nationwide organized more than 56,000 related events, reaching over 17 million people. Additionally, more than 18 million netizens participated in the online campaign "Say No to Cults" by signing a digital petition, said the MPS.

The MPS also noted that public security authorities will continue to closely monitor and crack down on cult activities, intensifying efforts to dismantle their networks and eliminate their influence and ensure the safety of people's lives and property. Authorities also urge the public to remain vigilant against cults and illegal training activities, recognize their true nature and severe harm, and actively resist them.

The MPS mandated rigorous enforcement against organizations conducting fraudulent training programs under the guise of "spiritual cultivation" as part of its recent deployment. A CCTV investigation in March 2024 revealed that since 2018, public security authorities nationwide had cracked 77 key cases involving illegal training activities disguised as "spiritual cultivation" and similar claims, leading to the criminal prosecution of 269 individuals and the confiscation of illicit earnings totaling over 217 million yuan ($29.75 million).

Furthermore, according to China Police Daily, local public security units adopted targeted strategies to build high-caliber anti-cult teams, improving their capability to combat cult activities. Beijing focused on developing specialized units to improve the foresight and targeting of anti-cult work, while Zhejiang Province in East China utilized advanced technology to enable timely detection and suppression of cult activities.

Global Times