China will introduce new regulations on February 1 on how Islam and other religions can be practiced in its western Xinjiang Province, requiring mosques and ceremonies to reflect "Chinese characteristics" as part of Beijing's campaign to "sinicize Islam."

In a move set to tighten government control over practicing religion in China’s western Xinjiang Province, the Muslim-majority region will introduce a set of regulations that – among other things – will require all new places of worship to reflect “Chinese characteristics and style.”

The sweeping legislation will come into force on February 1 as part of a broader multiyear campaign aimed at controlling religion in Xinjiang, which is home to mainly Muslim ethnic groups such as Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and Hui (aka Dungans).