Meeting Outlines China's Policy on Religion for the New Century

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

Meeting Outlines China's Policy on Religion for the New Century

Chinese President Jiang Zemin called for continued adherence to China's policy of religious independence, and the further consolidation and development of the patriotic united front between the party and the religious circle at a three-day meeting that ended Wednesday in Beijing.

Premier and CPPCC Chairman at Meeting on Religious Work

National meeting

China outlined its policy on religion for the new century at a three-day meeting that ended Wednesday in Beijing.

China's top leaders Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing and Li Lanqing took part in the meeting, which also drew senior regional and ministerial officials.

President: religious independence under national unity

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and State President Jiang in his speech described the work relating to religion as an important part of the work for the party and the government.

He called for the faithful implementation of the party's policy of religious freedom, and the administering of religious affairs in accordance with the law.

Chinese Leader Stresses Religious Freedom

Jiang also spoke of the necessity of guiding religious beliefs so that they can fit in with China's socialist society.

He called for continued adherence to China's policy of religious independence, and the further consolidation and development of the patriotic united front between the party and the religious circle.

Work as regards religion must serve for the maintenance of stability, the advancement of unity, the socialist modernization, the complete reunification of the motherland, and world peace and development, Jiang said.

Jiang linked the work concerning religion with the party's relations with the people, the unity of ethnic groups, social stability and even national security, and called for the party's strengthened leadership in religious affairs, and improved management of these affairs by the government.

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He stressed the importance of religion in gaining an understanding of world affairs, and warned that the impact of religion on the political and social life of the world can not be underestimated.

While reiterating China's policy of protecting religious freedom, Jiang also warned that nobody will be allowed to abuse religion in order to sabotage the party, socialism or national security.

Jiang said China will continue to encourage and support the exchanges between Chinese and foreign religious societies to enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

But he also made it clear that infiltration by overseas forces under the cover of religion shall be resolutely resisted by China.

Jiang pledged closer consultations between the party and the government and religious circles, especially on major issues concerning religion.

Premier: law administration and younger officials

Premier Zhu stressed the importance of administering religious affairs in accordance with the law, and vowed to crack down on all forms of evil cults.

He called for the establishment of management networks pertaining to religions at the county, town and village levels, in addition to better training of grassroots officials in religious policies.

The premier ordered that more officials of younger age and higher political and cultural quality be recruited into religion management departments.

People's Daily: Editorial

In a related development, the People's Daily, carries an editorial Thursday in response to the meeting.

The editorial hails the meeting as an indication of the importance attached to religion by the party and the government, and assured that it will have an important and far-reaching impact on work relating to religion.

The editorial calls for closer unity with the country's religious believers in the pursuit of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Full text of the editorial on religious work by People's Daily

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