April 8,2018--The State Council Information Office held a news conference of the White Paper titled China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief on Tuesday.

 

Chen Zongrong, former deputy director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, said that China’s policy of freedom of religious belief has strengthened the self-management of religious circles. Different religious groups respect and learn from each other, creating a new realm of “five religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism) working together to achieve harmony”. 

 

The religious harmony is achieved due to the following reasons:

 

Firstly, religions in China have been changing their focus from increasing the number of believers to improve their management and images. They are focusing on the Chinese orientation, building up their thoughts, culture, mechanism, and talents.

 

Secondly, religions in China actively serve for the society by engaging in charity, which wins applause from the whole society. 

 

Thirdly, Chinese religious groups fulfill their social responsibility to protect the religious and social harmony and safeguard the national security and unity. They have taken a clear stand against extremists, and fought resolutely against criminals using religions, playing a significant role in the economic-social development.

 

Lastly, they are engaged in extensive international religious activities to promote people-to-people exchanges and cultural communication and safeguard global peace, which contributes to building a community with a shared future for mankind.