China's top political advisor Wang Huning attended the symposium with leaders of religious groups in China before the Spring Festival.
According to CCC&TSPM and Xinhua News Agency, Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the forum with leaders from the national religious organizations on February 5, greeting the Chinese New Year together.
Wang appreciated the work of the religious groups in 2023 and expressed expectations for the coming year. He said that all groups should learn and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s guide on religious affairs, finding a clear position and direction in Chinese-style modernization. Leaders of different groups need to support the idea of developing religions in China while following core socialist values. This will help religious groups and believers recognize the "five recognitions" (motherland, Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics) and encourage the sinicization of religions. He stressed the need to adhere to strict governance of religions and consolidate the achievements of educational activities that value thrift and temperance for a positive atmosphere of religion. Also, it was vital to improve the ability and competence of religious talents and strive to nurture more talents.
Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the national Three-Self Patriotic Movement, and leaders from Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism attended the meeting.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
