SCIO briefing on China's protection of the freedom of religious belief

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Speakers:
Chen Zongrong, former vice administrator of State Administration for Religious Affairs


Xiao Hong, former spokeswoman of State Administration for Religious Affairs

Chairperson:
Xi Yanchun, spokeswoman of the State Council Information Office

Date:
April 3, 2018

Hong Kong Cable Television:

The white paper has a newly added part that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation. The religious circles will make efforts to expound doctrine to conform to China's situation and times. If there are conflicts between the newly added part and doctrine, what will you do? Catholic community encourages the running of its religious work in a democratic manner. How is this done?

Chen Zongrong:

What do you mean by the conflicts you just mentioned?

Hong Kong Cable Television:

There is the explanation of being Chinese. However, many religions have their own explanation on principles. For example, Catholicism has its own doctrine for electing new bishops. What will be done in case of conflicts? 

Chen Zongrong:

Religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, which is a policy first presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Central United Front Work Conference in 2015. It was further stressed at the national religious work conference in 2016 and later included in Party documents as a basic policy of the Party on religious work. Why do we specify that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation? It is the rule every religion follows that religions are adapted to context. All religions, without exception, follow this rule. If not, the religion can't live or develop. I think numerous examples have demonstrated this, whether in China or in the rest of the world.

The Party was not the first to propose that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation. Before President Xi presented this, the Catholic community had expressed that Christianity must be Chinese in orientation and made positive contributions. I was in charge of the Christian work before. The Christians held a workshop on Christianity for a Chinese context in Shanghai sometime before 2015, which produced great results. Therefore, the policy follows the objective law of religious development in line with development of the times. It has received enthusiastic response and support in religious circles. Jointly or on their own, they have hosted series of seminars and forums to explore the connotation and direction of being Chinese, with the goal of solving issues including the one you mentioned just now.

I would like to point out that we uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, but this will not change the basic religious doctrine and can never conflict with it, because the policy cannot change the core religious doctrine, manner or system. On the premise that all of these core elements remain the same, the policy provides guidance to religions in adapting to the Chinese context politically, socially and culturally. In the political field, religious circles will be provided guidance to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and socialist system. These are the prerequisite for building up our country with secular people and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. In the social field, religious circles will be provided guidance to follow and serve society and fulfill responsibilities to the society. Religions are organic parts of society, so they should serve the society and be in harmony. In the cultural field, the expression of religious thought, manner, architectural style and art should be Chinese. I think no religion is exactly the same in different countries, regions and ethnicities. They all have their own characters. This is the case in the three worldwide religions of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Therefore, the policy is an effective measure to provide better guidance for the adaptation of religions to a socialist society, and it is widely accepted and there is little opposition.

In addition, you mentioned that Catholic community encourages the running of its religious work in a democratic manner. This is an important aspect of Catholicism being Chinese. However, it is the tradition of Catholicism historically. It does not change the core doctrine and system, but opposes the practice of "only one man's words count," making democratic decisions through the collective. I think this is also the tradition of Catholicism in other countries and throughout its history.

This is my answer, thank you! 

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