China's religious policy

According to the State Administration for Religious Affairs, China is a multi-religious country where Taoism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity exist harmoniously. There are over 100 million believers and 85,000 religious venues in China.

Li Ruihuan, a former State leader, once neatly summarized China's religious policy:

First, it is inevitable that religion is a long-standing component that will continue to exist in socialist China. The government should neither suppress nor advocate religious activities.

Second, freedom of religious belief is justified and protected by the Constitution. An individual has the right to be a believer, as well as to be a non-believer.

Third, the Communist Party of China (CPC) encourages atheism. But it does not mean CPC is politically adversary to religious groups. It should be common sense that different beliefs can respect each other and coexist.

Fourth, the government should supervise religious activities and crack down on crimes that exploit people's religious faith.