Religious Figures Gathering in Beijing to Mark Lunar New Year 　　More than 200 religious figures gathered in Beijing February 11 to attend a tea party marking the Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on February 16. 　　During the past year, people in religious circles have followed the three principles of religious affairs put forward by President Jiang Zemin, said Ye Xiaowen, director of the Bureau of Religious Affairs under the State Council. 　　The three principles include implementing the Communist Party of China's policy of freedom of religious belief, strengthening the management on religious affairs in accordance with the law, and guiding religions to meet the needs of socialist society, Ye said. 　　He said that religious people also contributed to the fight against last summer's floods, and that cash donations for this purpose from religious circles surpassed 33.6 million yuan (US$4.2 million) by early September last year. 　　"We shall further implement the central government's principles and policies, and make greater efforts to safeguard social stability and the unity of ethnic groups," Ye noted. 　　Zhao Puchu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, Ding Guanxun, vice- chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and honorary chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches of China, and religious leaders from Chinese Catholic, Taoist, Islamic and other religious associations, religious figures who are members of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, and officials from relevant departments, were all present at yesterday's celebration. 　　The tea party was jointly sponsored by the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Subcommittee of Nationalities and Religion of the CPPCC National Committee, and the Bureau of Religious Affairs under the State Council. HomeNews 1999-02-12 Page4 Full Story in Chinese