INDEPENDENCE, SELF-MANAGEMENT The Chinese government supports all religions in upholding the principle of independence and self-management, according to the document. It allows religious groups, clerical personnel and believers to manage religious affairs by themselves in accordance with the Constitution and law. "This principle is a historic choice made by Chinese religious believers in the Chinese people's struggle for national independence and social progress, as Catholicism and Protestantism, which were known as foreign religions in China, had long been controlled and utilized by colonialists and imperialists," it said. FOREIGNERS The religious activities of foreigners in China are protected in accordance with the law, the white paper said. China respects foreigners' freedom of religious belief within its territory, and is committed to protecting friendly relations, cultural and academic exchanges about religion between foreigners and Chinese religious groups. Foreigners may attend religious activities at temples, mosques, churches, and other sites for religious activities, but shall conduct religious activities in line with law, it stressed. The law also prohibits overseas nongovernmental organizations from illegally engaging in or sponsoring religious activities. |