Relations between religion, other sectors properly handled in China: White paper

BEIJING -- A white paper issued by China's State Council Information Office Tuesday said that relations between religion and other sectors are properly handled in China, enabling active and healthy religious relations to take shape.

According to the white paper, titled "China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief," relations between the Communist Party of China and the government and religious groups, between society and religion, among different religions within the country, between religions of China and foreign countries, and between religious believers and non-believers are properly handled in China.

At present, approximately 20,000 prominent figures from the religious circles serve as deputies and members at all levels of people's congresses and committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and participate in the deliberation and administration of state affairs and exercising democratic oversight, it said.

Religious conflict and confrontation have rarely been seen in China since the introduction of Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism over the past 2,000 years, according to the white paper.

The state and the society have maintained an open mind towards diverse religions and folk beliefs, and respect both freedom of religious belief and diversity of folk beliefs.

Chinese religious groups have established friendly relations with religious organizations in more than 80 countries based on the principles of independence, equality, friendship, and mutual respect, and played an active part in international conferences involving diverse cultures, beliefs and religions, the white paper said.