Promoting Religious Harmony, Serving Scientific Development

Promoting Religious Harmony, Serving Scientific Development

促进宗教和谐 服务科学发展

During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, religious work adhered to the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development, comprehensively implemented the Party’s basic policy on religious work, thoroughly carried out the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, focused on promoting harmony in religious relations, and fully mobilized the initiative of religious figures and believers, making positive contributions to promoting scientific development and social harmony.

“十一五”时期，宗教工作坚持以科学发展观为指导，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，深入落实《宗教事务条例》，着力促进宗教关系和谐，充分发挥宗教界人士和信教群众的积极性，为推动科学发展、促进社会和谐做出了积极贡献。

I. Continuous Deepening of Understanding of Religious Issues

一、对宗教问题的认识不断深化

The Party Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as General Secretary attached great importance to religious issues. In light of the profound changes in the international and domestic situation, it grasped the basic laws of religion under the new circumstances, and from the strategic height of the overall development of the Party and the state’s undertakings, made a series of new summaries and new judgments, deepened the understanding of religious issues, enriched the Party’s theoretical policies on religious work, and effectively guided and promoted religious work.

以胡锦涛同志为总书记的党中央高度重视宗教问题，根据国际国内形势深刻变化，把握新形势下宗教的基本规律，从党和国家事业发展全局的战略高度，作出了一系列新概括、新论断，深化了对宗教问题的认识，丰富了党的宗教工作理论政策，有力地指导和推动了宗教工作。

The 17th National Congress of the CPC proposed comprehensively implementing the Party’s basic policy on religious work, namely: comprehensively implementing the Party’s policy of freedom of religious belief, managing religious affairs in accordance with the law, adhering to the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society. The formal establishment of this “four-sentence” basic policy is a high-level summary of the practical experience of religious work since the founding of New China, the latest generalization of the Party’s theoretical policies on religious work, and has become the guiding ideology and action guide for doing a good job in religious work under the new circumstances.

党的十七大提出要全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，即全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策、依法管理宗教事务、坚持独立自主自办的原则、积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应。正式确立这一“四句话”基本方针，是对新中国建立以来宗教工作实践经验的高度总结，是对党的宗教工作理论政策的最新概括，成为做好新形势下宗教工作的指导思想和行动指导。

To build a harmonious socialist society, it is necessary to handle various relationships on the basis of economic and social development. The Central Committee proposed that religious relations are a major relationship affecting the overall work of the Party and the state. Correctly understanding and handling religious relations, maintaining and promoting harmony in religious relations, concerns the overall situation of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, concerns the process of building a harmonious socialist society, and concerns the prosperity, development, and long-term stability of the Party and the state. It is necessary to enhance the sense of responsibility and mission in doing religious work, comprehensively implement the Party’s basic policy on religious work, and strive to achieve harmonious coexistence between religion and society, harmonious coexistence among different religions, and harmonious coexistence between believers and non-believers, as well as among believers of different religions.

构建社会主义和谐社会，要在经济社会发展的基础上处理好各方面的关系。中央提出，宗教关系是涉及党和国家工作全局的重大关系，正确认识和处理宗教关系，保持和促进宗教关系的和谐，事关中国特色社会主义事业的全局，事关构建社会主义和谐社会的进程，事关党和国家的兴旺发达和长治久安。要增强做好宗教工作的责任感和使命感，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，努力实现宗教与社会和谐相处，各宗教和谐相处，信教群众和不信教群众、信仰不同宗教群众和谐相处。

To promote economic and social development, it is necessary to unite all forces that can be united and mobilize all positive factors that can be mobilized. The Central Committee proposed that the positive role of religious figures and believers in promoting economic and social development should be brought into play. The presentation of this important thesis requires us to view the social role of religion with a scientific attitude, make greater efforts in bringing into play the positive role of religious circles and guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society, encourage religious figures and believers to actively participate in the great cause of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thereby opening up a new realm of religious work.

促进经济社会发展，必须团结一切可以团结的力量，调动一切可以调动的积极因素。中央提出，要发挥宗教界人士和信教群众在促进经济社会发展中的积极作用。这一重要论述的提出，要求我们以科学的态度看待宗教的社会作用，在发挥宗教界的积极作用、引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应方面下更大功夫，鼓励宗教界人士和信教群众积极投身全面建设小康社会的伟大事业，从而开拓了宗教工作的新境界。

Doing a good job of work among believers is the fundamental task of religious work. Through in-depth and meticulous ideological and political work, believers should be made to sincerely support the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system, firmly establish a sense of state, citizenship, and law, consciously safeguard national unity, ethnic solidarity, and social stability, and actively participate in the great process of accelerating socialist modernization. It is necessary to adhere to a people-centered approach, sincerely care for believers, especially those with difficulties in life, help them solve practical difficulties, organize and support them in actively developing production, improving their lives, and becoming prosperous through hard work, so that believers can truly feel the care and warmth of the Party and the government.

做好信教群众工作是宗教工作的根本任务。要通过深入细致的思想政治工作，使信教群众衷心拥护中国共产党的领导和社会主义制度，牢固树立国家意识、公民意识和法律意识，自觉维护祖国统一、民族团结和社会稳定，积极投身到加快推进社会主义现代化的伟大进程中来。要坚持以人为本，真心实意关心信教群众特别是生活困难的信教群众，帮助他们解决实际困难，组织和支持他们积极发展生产、改善生活、勤劳致富，使信教群众切实感受到党和政府的关怀和温暖。

During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, the understanding of religious issues among Party and government cadres at all levels, especially leading cadres, was further improved, and their ability to carry out religious work was significantly enhanced. Party committees and governments at all levels and relevant departments paid more attention to religious work. The working mechanism and system for religious work, characterized by unified leadership of the Party committee, joint management by the Party and government, comprehensive coordination by the religious work department, performance of respective duties by relevant departments, and participation by all sectors of society, were further improved.

“十一五”时期，各级党政干部特别是领导干部对宗教问题的认识进一步提高，宗教工作能力显著增强。各级党委、政府和有关部门更加重视宗教工作，党委统一领导、党政齐抓共管、宗教工作部门综合协调、相关部门各司其职、社会各方面共同参与的宗教工作体制机制更加完善。

II. Significant Improvement in the Level of Managing Religious Affairs According to Law

二、依法管理宗教事务水平显著提高

The promulgation and implementation of the *Regulations on Religious Affairs* effectively promoted the process of legalizing religious work. During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, through the implementation of the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, the concept of promoting religious work through legal means was strengthened, and the ability and level of managing religious affairs according to law were significantly improved.

《宗教事务条例》的颁布实施，有力地推动了宗教工作法治化进程。“十一五”时期通过贯彻落实《宗教事务条例》，用法治的方式推进宗教工作的理念得到强化，依法管理宗教事务的能力和水平显著提高。

To implement the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, the State Administration for Religious Affairs formulated and issued a number of supporting rules and normative documents, including the *Measures for the Approval and Registration of the Establishment of Religious Activity Sites*, the *Measures for the Filing of Religious Clergy*, the *Measures for the Establishment of Religious Colleges*, the *Measures for the Management of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries*, and the *Measures for the Supervision and Management of the Finances of Religious Activity Sites (Trial)*. In accordance with the principle of legal unity, 17 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) formulated or revised local religious regulations and government rules. Through efforts, a legal system for religious affairs with the Constitution as the core, including administrative regulations, local regulations, departmental rules, and local government rules, is taking shape, and the main aspects of the management of religious affairs have basically achieved legal basis.

为了贯彻实施《宗教事务条例》，国家宗教事务局制定出台《宗教活动场所设立审批和登记办法》、《宗教教职人员备案办法》、《宗教院校设立办法》、《藏传佛教寺庙管理办法》、《宗教活动场所财务监督管理办法（试行）》等多项配套规章和规范性文件。按照法制统一的原则，17个省（区、市）制定或修订地方性宗教法规和政府规章。经过努力，一个以宪法为核心，包括行政法规、地方法规、部门规章、地方政府规章在内的宗教事务法律体系正在形成，宗教事务管理的主要方面基本实现了有法可依。

Through the implementation of the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, the Party’s religious policies were effectively implemented, citizens’ right to freedom of religious belief was effectively protected, and the legitimate rights and interests of religious figures and believers were fully guaranteed. Party committees and governments at all levels took the initiative to do practical things for religious circles, helping religious groups, religious colleges, and religious activity sites solve practical difficulties and improve conditions for office work, running schools, and carrying out normal activities. Incidents that hurt the religious feelings of believers were handled according to law, and mutual respect and harmonious coexistence between believers and non-believers were advocated. Issues involving the demolition and relocation of properties of religious groups and religious activity sites during urban construction were properly handled, and efforts to promote and coordinate the resolution of outstanding issues concerning religious properties continued. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration for Religious Affairs jointly formulated and issued the *Opinions on Properly Solving the Social Security Problems of Religious Clergy*, incorporating religious clergy into the social security system, which was widely welcomed by religious circles.

通过贯彻《宗教事务条例》，党的宗教政策得到有力贯彻，公民的宗教信仰自由权利得到切实保护，宗教界人士和信教群众的合法权益得到充分保障。各级党委、政府主动为宗教界办实事，帮助宗教团体、宗教院校和宗教活动场所解决实际困难，改善办公、办学和开展正常活动的条件。依法处理伤害信教群众宗教感情的事件，倡导信教群众与不信教群众互相尊重、和睦相处。妥善处理城市建设中涉及拆迁宗教团体房产和宗教活动场所问题，继续推动和协调落实宗教房产遗留问题。人力资源和社会保障部、民政部、卫生部、财政部、国家宗教事务局联合制定下发《关于妥善解决宗教教职人员社会保障问题的意见》，把宗教教职人员纳入社会保障，受到宗教界的普遍欢迎。

Through the implementation of the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, the status of religious work departments as law enforcement entities was further clarified, the legal awareness of religious work cadres was further enhanced, they became more conscious in standardizing their administrative acts, and their ability to administer according to law was further improved. Notable results were achieved in using legal means to solve key and difficult problems in religious work and to resist infiltration activities using religion from abroad. Managing religious affairs according to law gradually became the main method of religious work.

通过贯彻《宗教事务条例》，宗教工作部门的执法主体地位进一步明确，宗教工作干部的法律意识进一步增强，更加自觉地规范行政行为，依法行政能力进一步提高。运用法律手段破解宗教工作中的重点难点问题、抵御境外利用宗教进行的渗透活动取得明显成效，依法管理宗教事务逐渐成为宗教工作的主要方式。

Through in-depth and extensive “Fifth Five-Year Plan” legal education and publicity and training on the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, the awareness of abiding by laws and disciplines among religious figures and the broad masses of believers was significantly enhanced. They became more conscious in carrying out normal religious activities within the scope permitted by law, more conscious in using legal means to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and more conscious in resisting all illegal and criminal activities that use religion to undermine ethnic unity and social stability.

通过深入广泛开展“五五”普法和《宗教事务条例》宣传培训，宗教界人士和广大信教群众的遵纪守法观念明显增强，更加自觉地在法律允许范围内开展正常的宗教活动，更加自觉地运用法律手段维护自身合法权益，更加自觉地抵制一切利用宗教进行破坏民族团结、社会稳定和其他违法犯罪活动。

III. Further Strengthening of the Construction of Patriotic Religious Groups

三、爱国宗教团体建设进一步加强

During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, active efforts were made to promote the self-construction of religious groups and fully leverage their role as bridges and ties between the Party and the government and believers, achieving notable results.

“十一五”时期，积极推动宗教团体加强自身建设，充分发挥宗教团体作为党和政府联系信教群众的桥梁和纽带作用，取得了明显成效。

Focusing on the theme of promoting social harmony, religious circles were guided to excavate content from religious thought, religious doctrine, and religious morality that meets the requirements of the times. The “scripture interpretation” work in Islam was steadily advanced, the “theological thought construction” in Christianity was continuously deepened, the “democratic management of religious affairs” in Catholicism was constantly strengthened, and the “scripture preaching and exchange” activities in Buddhism and Taoism were effectively carried out. The ideological foundation for religion to adapt to the socialist society became more solid.

围绕促进社会和谐主题，指导宗教界挖掘宗教思想、宗教教义和宗教道德中适应时代进步要求的内容，伊斯兰教“解经”工作稳步推进，基督教“神学思想建设”不断深入，天主教“民主办教”不断加强，佛教和道教“讲经交流”活动有效开展，宗教与社会主义社会相适应的思想基础更加牢固。

To effectively implement the *Regulations on Religious Affairs*, national religious groups were guided to formulate more than ten management measures, such as those for the recognition of religious clergy and the appointment of principal religious positions in religious activity sites, revise their constitutions, and improve various rules and regulations. An atmosphere of acting according to law and following rules began to take shape, internal management became more standardized, and self-management capabilities were significantly enhanced.

为有效实施《宗教事务条例》，指导各全国性宗教团体先后制定了宗教教职人员认定、宗教活动场所主要教职任职等10余项管理办法，修订章程和完善各项规章制度，开始形成依法活动、照章办事的氛围，内部管理更加规范，自我管理能力显著增强。

A nationwide campaign to create harmonious temples and churches was launched, and religious figures and believers actively responded and enthusiastically participated. This effectively promoted the self-management of religious activity sites and mobilized their enthusiasm for serving society and benefiting the people. On December 29, 2010, the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee and the State Administration for Religious Affairs held a conference to commend the advanced collectives and advanced individuals that emerged from the campaign.

在全国开展创建和谐寺观教堂活动，宗教界人士和信教群众积极响应，踊跃参加，有力地推动了宗教活动场所的自我管理，调动了宗教活动场所服务社会、利益人群的积极性。2010年12月29日，中央统战部、国家宗教事务局召开大会，对创建活动涌现出来的宗教界先进集体和先进个人进行表彰。

In accordance with the requirements of “being politically reliable, having scholarly attainments, and being morally convincing to the masses,” we have innovated training methods, opened up training channels, and made great efforts to strengthen the building of the contingent of religious personnel, focusing on cultivating young and middle-aged patriotic religious figures, effectively alleviating the situation where the contingent of religious personnel was short of successors. The national religious groups have successively completed their leadership transitions, the leading bodies have basically achieved younger composition, and the smooth replacement of the old by the new has been realized.

按照“政治上靠得住、学识上有造诣、品德上能服众”的要求，创新培养方法，开辟培训途径，努力加强宗教教职人员队伍建设，着力培养中青年爱国宗教人士，有效缓解了宗教教职人员队伍青黄不接的状况。各全国性宗教团体相继完成换届，领导班子基本实现了年轻化，顺利实现了新老交替。

IV. Religious Circles Play a More Active Role

四、宗教界发挥积极作用更加主动

During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period [4]4 The “11th Five-Year Plan” refers to China’s 11th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, covering the period 2006–2010., greater importance was attached to giving play to the positive role of religious circles, encouraging religious figures and believers to actively participate in economic and social construction, with religious circles serving society more proactively and serving the country more consciously.

“十一五”时期，更加重视发挥宗教界的积极作用，鼓励宗教界人士和信教群众积极参与经济社会建设，宗教界服务社会更加主动，服务国家更加自觉。

From the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, the southern snow and ice disaster, the drought in the southwestern region, Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan, the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai, to the mudslide disaster in Zhouqu, Gansu, in the face of disasters, religious circles carried forward the great love spirit of “when one place is in trouble, assistance comes from all quarters,” always extending a helping hand at the first opportunity, donating money and goods, and providing assistance within their capacity. The Party Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission commended the advanced collectives and individuals in the Yushu earthquake relief efforts, including religious circles in the scope of commendation for the first time, which was a full affirmation of the disaster relief actions of religious circles.

从四川汶川地震、南方雨雪冰冻灾害、西南地区旱灾、台湾“八八”风灾、青海玉树地震到甘肃舟曲泥石流灾害，面对灾难，宗教界发扬“一方有难、八方支援”的大爱精神，总能在第一时间伸出援助之手，捐款捐物，提供力所能及的救助。党中央、国务院、中央军委表彰玉树抗震救灾先进集体和先进个人，第一次把宗教界列入表彰范围，这是对宗教界救灾行为的充分肯定。

During the hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games, the Shanghai World Expo, and the Guangzhou Asian Games, religious circles in our country responded to the call of the Party and the government, took the initiative as masters, consciously maintained stability in the religious field, actively provided religious services, and proactively publicized our country’s religious policies, playing a positive role and displaying the good image of China’s religious circles.

在举办北京奥运会、上海世博会和广州亚运会期间，我国宗教界响应党和政府号召，以主人翁姿态，自觉维护宗教领域稳定，积极提供宗教服务，主动宣传我国宗教政策，发挥了积极作用，展示了中国宗教界的良好形象。

Religious circles carried forward the fine tradition of benefiting the world and helping others, actively explored new ways to serve society, carried out various forms of public welfare and charitable undertakings, and did a great deal of work in poverty alleviation, elderly care and disability assistance, education sponsorship, and ecological protection, receiving praise from all sectors of society.

宗教界发扬济世利人的优良传统，积极探索服务社会的新途径，开展多种形式的公益慈善事业，在扶贫济困、养老助残、捐资助学、生态保护等方面做了大量工作，受到社会各界的好评。

V. Healthy Development of Religious Exchanges

五、宗教交流健康发展

During the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, religious circles in our country actively carried out friendly exchanges and interactions on the basis of equality, serving the great cause of national reunification, and giving play to the unique role of religion in people-to-people diplomacy.

“十一五”时期，我国宗教界在平等基础上积极开展友好交流交往，为祖国统一大业服务，发挥了宗教在民间外交方面的独特作用。

In accordance with the principle of “non-subordination, non-interference, and mutual respect,” we actively carried out friendly exchanges with religious circles in Hong Kong and Macao, strengthened religious exchanges with Taiwan, and enhanced understanding and friendship among religious circles across the strait and in the four regions [5]5 “Four regions” refers to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan..

按照“互不隶属、互不干涉、互相尊重”的原则，积极开展同港澳宗教界的友好交往，加强对台宗教交流，增进了两岸四地宗教界之间的理解和友谊。

Innovating methods of external religious publicity, exploring new channels for religious foreign exchanges, we went to the United States and Germany to hold the “China Church Bible Ministry Exhibition,” went to Singapore to hold the “China-Singapore Religious Culture Exhibition,” went to Indonesia to hold the “China-Indonesia 2010 Islamic Culture Performance Event,” and went to multiple countries and regions to hold the large-scale Buddhist symphony “Shenzhou Hele” [6]6 “Shenzhou Hele” (Divine Land Harmony) is a large-scale Buddhist symphonic work performed internationally to promote Chinese religious culture., publicizing our country’s policy of freedom of religious belief, advocating the concept of religious harmony, and producing a positive impact.

创新宗教外宣方式，探索宗教对外交流新渠道，赴美国、德国举办“中国教会圣经事工展”，赴新加坡举办“中国—新加坡宗教文化展”，赴印尼举办“中国·印尼2010伊斯兰文化展演活动”，赴多个国家和地区举办大型佛教交响乐《神州和乐》，宣传我国宗教信仰自由政策，倡导宗教和谐理念，产生了积极影响。

More proactively participating in international religious activities, we held two World Buddhist Forums and the first International Daodejing Forum, participated in international conferences such as the Asia-Europe Interfaith Dialogue, participated in activities of international organizations such as the World Council of Churches, the World Fellowship of Buddhists, and the World Conference of Religions for Peace, publicized the proposition of jointly building a harmonious world, established our country’s image of peace, openness, and inclusiveness, and strove for the right to speak in the international religious field.

更加主动参与国际宗教领域活动，举办两届世界佛教论坛和首届国际道德经论坛，参与亚欧不同信仰间对话等国际会议，参与“世界基督教教会联合会”、“世界佛教徒联谊会”、“世界宗教和平者会议”等国际性组织活动，宣传共建和谐世界主张，树立我国和平、开放、包容的形象，争取国际宗教领域话语权。

Attaching importance to cooperation and dialogue on religious human rights, we participated in the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions, participated in multiple bilateral and multilateral human rights dialogues with the United States, Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Norway, clarified our country’s position on religious issues, and clarified and refuted the acts of Western countries attacking the state of religious freedom in our country, carrying out a struggle that was reasonable, advantageous, and measured.

重视宗教人权的合作与对话，参加联合国人权理事会大会，参与中美、中欧、中加、中英、中澳、中德、中挪等多个双边和多边人权对话，就宗教问题阐明我国立场，针对西方国家攻击我国宗教自由状况的行径，予以澄清和驳斥，开展有理有利有节的斗争。

The practice of religious work during the “11th Five-Year Plan” period has fully proved that to do a good job in religious work under the new circumstances, we must adhere to the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development, firmly establish the Marxist view on religion, adhere to serving the overall work of the Party and the state, fully implement the Party’s basic policy on religious work, deeply implement the “Regulations on Religious Affairs,” accurately grasp the basic laws of religion under the new circumstances, use an innovative spirit to promote the resolution of new situations and problems emerging in the religious field, and continuously improve the scientific level of religious work.

“十一五”时期的宗教工作实践充分证明，做好新形势下的宗教工作，必须坚持以科学发展观为指导，牢固树立马克思主义宗教观，坚持服务党和国家工作大局，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，深入落实《宗教事务条例》，准确把握新形势下宗教的基本规律，以创新精神推动解决宗教领域出现的新情况新问题，不断提高宗教工作的科学化水平。

The goals and tasks of the “12th Five-Year Plan” [7]7 The “12th Five-Year Plan” refers to China’s 12th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, covering the period 2011–2015. have put forward new requirements for religious work. We must continue to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of the “Three Represents” [8]8 The “Three Represents” is a political theory introduced by Jiang Zemin, stating that the Communist Party of China must always represent the development trends of advanced productive forces, the orientation of advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the Chinese people., deeply implement the Scientific Outlook on Development, adhere to the theme and main line, strengthen research, sum up experience, improve policies, strengthen management, mobilize the enthusiasm of religious figures and believers, promote harmonious religious relations, and create a good social environment for achieving the economic and social development goals and tasks of the “12th Five-Year Plan” period.

“十二五”规划的目标任务对宗教工作提出了新的要求。我们要继续高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，坚持以邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想为指导，深入贯彻落实科学发展观，坚持主题主线，加强调研，总结经验，完善政策，强化管理，调动宗教界人士和信教群众的积极性，促进宗教关系和谐，为实现“十二五”时期经济社会发展的目标任务创造良好的社会环境。