Yunnan Officials Discuss New Regulation on Religious Affairs

June 29, 2005

At a seminar held on June 20 to promote implementation of the new Regulation on Religious Affairs, Deputy Governor Li Hanbo described Yunnan's plan to "standardize management" over large areas of the internal affairs of religious sites. He said: "Yunnan province will hereafter guide, inspect, and supervise the management of the internal affairs of religious venues, and help the venues comply with regulations on personnel, finance, accounting, policing, fire prevention, cultural protection, and preventive healthcare."

In addition, Deputy Governor Li warned that, in the future, construction of Buddhist and Daoist temples and open-air religious images would be regulated.

Li added that the new Regulation also clarified punishment of those who violate the legal rights and interests of the religious community, including citizens' freedom to believe.