Addressing a national conference on work related to religious affairs, held from December 3-4 in Beijing, Xinhua (December 4) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an "important speech" where he highlighted fully implementing the Party's theory on religious affairs in the new era, the basic policy on religious affairs, and the policy on the freedom of religious belief. He said efforts are needed to better rally and guide religious believers to work together with the general public to develop China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and realise the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Stressing the importance of religious affairs in the work of the Party and the state, he said it is "imperative to further uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, strengthen the management of online religious affairs, and effectively address prominent problems that affect the sound inheritance of religions in China". Xi Jinping emphasised "the training of a team of Party and government officials who are adept at the Marxist view on religion, familiar with religious affairs, and competent to engage in work related to religious believers" and also "urged fostering a group of religious figures who are politically reliable, have noble characters and religious accomplishments, and can play their role at critical times". The conference, presided over by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, was attended by all Politburo Standing Committee members Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng and other senior leaders. CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang made the concluding remarks.
|
