Under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, chaos within the religious community continues to surface. Taoist priest Liu Yongheng recently publicly accused Hu Chenglin, the President of the Shaanxi Taoist Association, of being the “Shi Yongxin of the Taoist world.” Liu Yongheng alleged that Hu not only had a secret marriage and children, but also used temple funds to buy a Land Rover luxury car, and arranged for his mistress to obtain a Taoist certificate, traveling with her on a luxurious cruise ship to Hong Kong.
Self-proclaimed “True Taoist Liu Yongheng” posted on Weibo, claiming that Hu Chenglin, the President of the Shaanxi Taoist Association, publicly presented himself as single and devoted to ascetic practices, but had actually maintained a secret marriage and fathered children for over twenty years, engaging in multiple extramarital affairs. Hu Chenglin unlawfully arranged for a mistress born in 1997 to obtain a Taoist certificate, accompanied her on a trip to Hong Kong on a rented luxury cruise ship, and used temple funds to purchase a Land Rover.
Public records indicate that Hu Chenglin was born in 1974 and is a native of Shaanxi.
Liu Yongheng revealed that Hu Chenglin has been stripped of positions such as National Committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Director of the Chinese Taoist Association, but still serves as the President of the Shaanxi Taoist Association and the presiding officer of the Baixian Palace and Xiangzi Temple in Xi’an, without being expelled from the Taoist clergy.
Liu Yongheng stated that the content and images he posted are all factual and that he is willing to bear all legal responsibilities for his actions.
Information on the Weibo account of “True Taoist Liu Yongheng” indicates that he is a “Resident Director of the Xi’an Taoist Association.” Currently, relevant posts on Weibo cannot be displayed.
Chinese media outlet NetEase previously reported on the incident where “True Taoist Liu Yongheng” accused Hu Chenglin, the President of the Shaanxi Taoist Association, but the report has since been deleted.
The incident sparked widespread discussion on an overseas platform X: “The monks and priests in mainland China are nothing but workers, not believers. There is a clear distinction between the Huainan and Huaibei areas.” “Curious question: What benefits can you receive by obtaining a Taoist certificate in China?” “In a system dirtier than public places, only dirty things can emerge.” “What a magical land and species, where officials and cadres have mistresses, and monks and priests are no exception.” “Following the route of Shi Yongxin, it is estimated that Liu Yongheng will disappear in the end. As for Hu Chenglin, the time might not be right yet, lacking evidence.”
Some netizens commented that “under the governance of the Communist Party of China, true Taoists and monks in China are being persecuted to an unbearable extent. Those who can climb the ranks in such an environment must be in cahoots with the Communist Party.”
Previously, the former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, was also reported multiple times before being taken away for investigation by authorities in July 2025. The administration of the Shaolin Temple reported that Shi Yongxin was suspected of embezzling and misappropriating temple funds and assets, violating Buddhist precepts, maintaining inappropriate relationships with multiple women for an extended period, and having more than one illegitimate child. The official report sparked public outcry.
Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, atheism has been vigorously promoted, damaging traditional Chinese culture and infiltrating traditional religions from within. There are Communist Party agents within the religious community who are directly led by the Communist Party’s Religious Affairs Bureau. Both the Buddhist Association established in 1952 and the Taoist Association founded in 1957 clearly state in their charters the need to operate “under the leadership of the People’s Government,” effectively being under the leadership of the atheist Communist Party. Temples and monasteries that were once places for monks and priests to practice asceticism have long ceased to adhere to such principles.