China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

White Paper

China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

(April 2018)

The State Council Information Office of
the People's Republic of China

China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

Contents

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As a socialist country under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China adopts policies on freedom of religious belief based on national and religious conditions to protect citizens' right to freedom of religious belief, build active and healthy religious relationships, and maintain religious and social harmony.

I. Basic Policies in Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

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I. Basic Policies in Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

China adopts policies on freedom of religious belief, manages religious affairs in accordance with the law, adheres to the principle of independence and self-management, actively guides religions to adapt to the socialist society, and unites religious believers and non-believers to the greatest extent.

II. Legal Guarantees for Freedom of Religious Belief

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II. Legal Guarantees for Freedom of Religious Belief

The socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics is continuously being improved, with enhanced implementation of the rule of law in protecting freedom of religious belief and increasingly standardized governance of religious affairs, providing stronger guarantees for the lawful rights and interests of its religious believers.

III. Conducting Religious Activities in an Orderly Manner

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III. Conducting Religious Activities in an Orderly Manner

The major religions practiced in China are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism; with a total of nearly 200 million believers and more than 380,000 clerical personnel.

IV. The Role of Religious Groups Has Been Fully Developed

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IV. The Role of Religious Groups Has Been Fully Developed

China encourages all religions to keep pace with the times and adapt to the socialist society, and contribute to economic growth, social harmony, cultural prosperity, ethnic solidarity and national unification.

V. Active and Healthy Religious Relations

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V. Active and Healthy Religious Relations

Relations between the Party/government and religious groups, society and religion, different religions within the country, religions of China and foreign countries, and religious believers and non-believers are properly handled in China. This has enabled active and healthy religious relations to take shape.

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China will continue to respect and protect its citizens' freedom to religious beliefs, and strive to build the country into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and with a sound environment.