To celebrate the Chinese New Year, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Wang Huning, attended a Spring Festival symposium last Thursday for religious group leaders, along with representatives from the religious community.
Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), acknowledged the achievements of religious organizations in 2024 and expressed expectations for their work in 2025, said the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He emphasized the need to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important remarks on religious work including developing religions in the Chinese context, enhancing governance of religious affairs, and building positive and healthy religious relationships. Wang stated that efforts should be made to guide the religious community and believers to strengthen their "five identities" (identity with the motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and Chinese socialism). He suggested promoting the sinicization of religion in China systematically and gradually forming religious doctrines that align with China's national conditions. Additionally, he highlights strengthening the rule of law framework in the administration of religious affairs, encouraging the religious community and believers to enhance their awareness of the nation, citizenship, and the rule of law. Continuous efforts should also be made to promote full and strict governance of religions and improve the self-education, self-management, and self-discipline of religious circles.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the UFWD, also attended the symposium. Chairperson Xu Xiaohong of National TSPM, along with Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic, and Catholic leaders, delivered speeches during the event.
