Politburo Member Calls for Religion to Serve Party Goals

Politburo Standing Committee Member Jia Qinglin told religious leaders at a meeting on January 22 that religious work should carry out party policies, contribute to the country's development, and resist foreign infiltration, Xinhua reported that day. (Click here for an abbreviated Xinhua report on the event in English.) Jia added that religious work should focus on safeguarding national security and social stability. A summary of religious work in 2005, which was posted January 27 on the State Administration for Religious Affairs Web site, said that upholding social stability is the "number one responsibility" and enduring theme of religious work.

The summary also highlighted achievements in training officials on the Regulation on Religious Affairs (RRA). The CECC noted in the section on Freedom of Religion in its 2005 Annual Report that the government implementation campaign for the RRA has emphasized increased control over religion.

In the past year, authorities have continued to repress religious practice outside officially approved venues, as well as other religious activities deemed outside the scope of "normal" practice (click here and here for examples). In addition, authorities continue to tightly control official religious organizations (click here and here for examples).