Government Work Report Stresses Adapting Religions to Chinese Context

The choir of Tianshui Church in Hangzhou, sang a hymn during an exchange conference of the Sinicization of sacred music held in Gulou Church in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, on November 16, 2022.
The choir of Tianshui Church in Hangzhou, sang a hymn during an exchange conference of the Sinicization of sacred music held in Gulou Church in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, on November 16, 2022. (photo: Hangzhou CC&TSPM)
By John ZhangMarch 8th, 2023

The government work report said that China should adhere to the basic policy on religious affairs and the sinicization of religion this year. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report on March 5 at the opening of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress's annual meeting. 

According to the report, China has sought out new ways of improving work related to ethnic groups, religious affairs, and overseas Chinese over the past five years. The government consolidated and developed socialist ethnic relations based on equality, solidarity, mutual aid, and harmony. This contributed to ethnic unity and progress. According to the SARA's (China's State Administration for Religious Affairs) WeChat account, they also carried out the party's core religious policies and work to "sinicize" religion in the country.

Referring to overseas Chinese affairs, the report adds that efforts have also been made to make the most of the unique strengths and important roles of overseas Chinese nationals in China's modernization drive. 

Premier Li stated that the government should focus on forging the consciousness of community for the Chinese nation, upholding and improving the regional ethnic autonomy system, and promoting the unity and prosperity of all ethnic groups in the year of 2023. 

"We should adhere to the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, follow the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt themselves to socialist society. We should strenghten and improve our work related to Chinese nationals overseas to forge a powerful force for all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, both at home and abroad, to work together to make remarkable achievements.”

- Translated by Abigail Wu

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