2018年CRI Religious freedom guaranteed in China: white paper

Religious freedom guaranteed in China: white paper

A new white paper released by China's State Council says authorities are providing strong guarantees to people's religious freedom within the country.

CRI's Guan Chao has more.

The white paper, titled "China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief," covers topics such as basic religious policies, legal guarantees and regulation of religious activities.

The second white paper on religion issued by the Chinese government since 1997, it cites stats showing the progress made in guaranteeing religious freedom over the past 40 years.

Former Deputy Chief of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, Chen Zongrong, says the white paper also reflects what's been happening in China when it comes to the broader goal of protecting human rights. 

"We find the white paper necessary. It summarizes the changes in China's religious sector¹ over the past 20 years, especially in guaranteeing religious freedom and balancing the relationships between religions. The white paper reflects the CPC's and government's emphasis on human rights protection. It also shows the Chinese government's solid stance in preventing conflict."

Chen Zongrong says China's policies on religious freedoms are effective as they are practical.

"China's stance on protecting religious freedom has its roots in history, proper policies and legal foundations, practical work, as well as the self-awareness of religious groups."

China has almost 200 million people with religious beliefs including Buddhism², Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism.

The white paper notes that for over two thousand years, China has maintained an inclusive attitude toward religious beliefs, saying it has seldom seen conflicts or turbulence³ caused by religious factors. 

It also emphasizes Chinese respect toward people with religious beliefs.

The white paper also says different religious groups have been actively⁴ adapting to Chinese society, saying they're attempting to strike a balance between the love for the nation and religion, and says religious activities are mostly conducted in an orderly manner.

The Communist Party of China is an atheist⁵ party.

Chen Zongrong says despite this, the party has no intention of interfering⁶ in people's religious freedom.

"The CPC advocates atheism⁷. But it doesn't mean citizen's religious freedom should be compromised. Nor does it want to disrespect people's religion. The CPC maintains cooperative ties with religious groups. No matter how the religious organs change, the CPC will never change that stance."

The white paper also notes that around 20-thousand people with religious beliefs participate at different levels within the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to provide their counsel on religious affairs.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

3 turbulence   

n.喧嚣，狂暴，骚乱，湍流

参考例句：

• The turbulence caused the plane to turn over.空气的激流导致飞机翻转。
• The world advances amidst turbulence.世界在动荡中前进。

4 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

5 atheist   

n.无神论者

参考例句：

• She was an atheist but now she says she's seen the light.她本来是个无神论者，可是现在她说自己的信仰改变了。
• He is admittedly an atheist.他被公认是位无神论者。

6 interfering   

adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词

参考例句：

• He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事！
• I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预，让我自己拿主意。

7 atheism   

n.无神论，不信神

参考例句：

• Atheism is the opinion that there is no God.无神论是认为不存在上帝的看法。
• Atheism is a hot topic.无神论是个热门话题。