Policy of Freedom of Religious Belief

Every citizen enjoys the freedom to choose whether to believe in a religion or not; No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in any religion. Religion, as an important social phenomenon, will exist for a long time in the socialist society. Respecting and protecting the freedom of religious belief is a long-term basic policy of the Party and the government in dealing with religious issues.

Freedom of religious belief is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.The Constitution clearly stipulates that citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy the freedom of religious belief. The state protects normal religious activities. No one shall use religion to engage in activities that disrupt social order, harm the physical and mental health of citizens, or hinder the national education system. Religious groups and religious affairs are not subject to control of foreign countries. The full and correct implementation of the policy on freedom of religious belief and the respect for and protection of citizens’ right to the freedom show that the Party protects people’s interests, respects and protects human rights, and tries to unite the people to the greatest extent.

The normal needs of the religious believers shall be guaranteed in accordance with the law; their customs shall be respected; and their channels to master religious knowledge shall be expanded. We must resolutely correct the behaviors showing no respect to citizens’ right to freedom of religious belief and damaging the legitimate rights and interests of religious circles. At the same time, it is also necessary to clarify that religions must operate within the scope of rights and obligations stipulated by the Constitution and laws, and insist on the unity of rights and obligations. Freedom of religious belief does not mean that religious activities can go beyond the provisions of the Constitution and laws, or that they are not subject to any restrictions. Religious persons and believers are first and foremost citizens of the People’s Republic of China. They must make the fundamental interests of the country and the people a priority, and abide by the Constitution, laws, regulations, and policies.

We should fully implement the policy on the freedom of religious belief, abide by the principle of “separation of politics and religion”, and manage religious affairs according to law. Religious activities should be carried out in accordance with rights and obligations stipulated by the Constitution and laws. No one can use religion to oppose the leadership of the Communist Party and the socialist system, nor can they interfere with internal affairs such as administration, justice, and education. No religious activities should hinder social order, work order and life order. We should fully implement the policy on the freedom of religious belief, and adhere to the principle of “independent and self-management”. We need to resolutely resist infiltration by foreign forces through religion, combat religious extremism, oppose and ban cults, and combat various forms of terrorism. We should fully implement the policy on the freedom of religious belief, and actively guide religion to adapt to the socialist society.

Religious affairs are in essence people’s affairs. Guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society does not require religious figures and believers to give up their religious beliefs. It requires them to love the motherland, support the socialist system and the leadership of the Party, and abide by the laws, regulations and policies; demands them to operate in accordance with the highest interests of the country and the overall interests of the nation; encourages them to explain religion in line with the requirements of social progress; supports them and the people of all ethnic groups to work together to oppose all illegal activities that endanger the interests of the motherland and the people, and make more contributions to national unity, economic and social development, and reunification of the motherland.