Xi's 2nd national religion meeting: something old and something new
Xi's 2nd national religion meeting: something old and something new
Hello, in the spirit of squeezing in another newsletter before the Christmas holidays, your host will cover a meeting that took place in early December, chaired by no other than Xi himself.
The meeting, the national conference on work related to religious affairs, is China’s highest-level meeting on religious affairs and has previously been held in 1990, 2001, 2007, 2010, 2016.
As it may take some time before any speech transcripts to be made public, this newsletter will provide a full translation of the official readout released by Xinhua and offer some background info as well as personal thoughts.
KEY CONCLUSIONS:
The readout bears much resemblance with the last, with many language directly copied from the 2016 version, yet two things stood out to your host.
First, the language in this readout is more condensed, most notably when it summarized the “9 musts“. This felt that the party holds a positive view on religious work since the 18th party congress, and is comfortable in distilling past practice into playbook-like language.
Second, while only receiving a mention in passing in the last readout, sinicization was elaborated more fully this time around, pointing to the future direction of religious work.
Third, freedom of religion has been consistently listed as the most prioritized principle in various gov’t papers.
全国宗教工作会议12月3日至4日在北京召开。中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平出席会议并发表重要讲话，强调要全面贯彻新时代党的宗教工作理论，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策，坚持我国宗教中国化方向，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，提高宗教界自我管理水平，提高宗教事务治理法治化水平，努力开创宗教工作新局面，更好组织和引导信教群众同广大人民群众一道为全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而团结奋斗。
Chinese President Xi Jinping,General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a national conference on work related to religious affairs in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held from December 2 to 3. He highlighted fully implementing the Party's theory on religious affairs in the new era, the basic policy on religious affairs, and the policy on the freedom of religious belief. He also stressed upholding the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context, and providing active guidance for the adaptation of religions to socialist society. He required religious groups to strengthen their self-management and emphasized the need to improve the rule of law in religious affairs governance. Efforts are needed to better rally and guide religious believers to work together with the general public to develop China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, he noted.
党的宗教工作基本方针, or basic policy on religious affairs, has four components, which are, in this order, 全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策，依法管理宗教事务，坚持独立自主自办原则，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应 (Party's policy on freedom of religious belief, respecting people's religious beliefs, managing religious affairs in accordance with the law, adhering to the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religions to adapt to the socialist society)
The readout specified these four points fully later but mentioned them in a different manner in the first paragraph.
Original formulations As described in the first paragraph
1.全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策 全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策
Party's policy on freedom of religious belief The same
2.依法管理宗教事务 坚持我国宗教中国化方向，
积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应
Managing religious affairs Adhering to the direction of sinicization in accordance with the law religions and actively guiding religions
to adapt to the socialist society
3.坚持独立自主自办原则 提高宗教界自我管理水平
Adhering to the principle of Improving the self-management
independence and self-management level of religious institutions
4.积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应 提高宗教事务治理法治化水平
actively guiding religions Improving the rule of law in
to adapt to the socialist society managing religious affairs
The comparison clearly shows that while the four pillars to China’s policy on religion are largely unchanged, but in the personal opinion of your host, they may have in practice been fine-tuned and shifted in relative importance.
* A brief history on the four principles: the freedom of religion was established at the founding of the CPC, the freedom of independence was established at the founding of the PRC, the principle of law was formulated at the 1991 national religious meeting, and the adapting to socialist society principle was formulated in 1993. In 2003, the four principles are collectively confirmed as the party’s basic policies on religious affairs, which was written into the party’s third historic resolution this year.
李克强主持会议。栗战书、王沪宁、赵乐际、韩正出席会议。汪洋作总结讲话。
The conference, presided over by Li Keqiang, was attended by other senior leaders Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng. Wang Yang made concluding remarks.
All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee attended the meeting, underscoring its importance.
习近平在讲话中指出，党的十八大以来，党中央高度重视宗教工作。各级党委贯彻落实党中央决策部署，党的宗教工作创新推进，取得积极成效。贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针更加全面，宗教工作体制机制进一步完善，宗教工作法律体系和政策框架日益健全，宗教界人士和信教群众尊法学法守法用法意识不断增强，推进我国宗教中国化逐步深入。宗教界弘扬爱国精神，讲大局、讲法治、讲科学、讲爱心，不断增进对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同。
Noting progress in the work related to religious affairs since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi said the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to religious work①. The Party committees at various levels have implemented the decisions and plans of the Central Committee to promote innovation in the work related to religious affairs, and positive achievements have been made in this process. He noted that in dealing with religious affairs, our Party have worked for a more comprehensive guiding principles, enhanced our systems and mechanisms, improved the legal system and policy framework, and increased the legal awareness of people from religious circles and religious believers. Religions in China have increasingly been Chinese in orientation and religious groups have kept carrying forward the Chinese spirit, holding the big picture, the rule of law, science, and compassion in mind, and enhancing their recognition of the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
① One example was the move in 2018 to place the State Administration of Religious Affairs under the administration of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, a party organ, instead of the State Council. In Chinese bureaucratic language, that gave the SARA a stronger mandate in managing religious affairs.
习近平强调，党的十八大以来，党中央提出一系列关于宗教工作的新理念新举措，回答了新时代怎样认识宗教、怎样处理宗教问题、怎样做好党的宗教工作等重大理论和实践问题。必须深刻认识做好宗教工作在党和国家工作全局中的重要性，必须建立健全强有力的领导机制，必须坚持和发展中国特色社会主义宗教理论，必须坚持党的宗教工作基本方针，必须坚持我国宗教中国化方向，必须坚持把广大信教群众团结在党和政府周围，必须构建积极健康的宗教关系，必须支持宗教团体加强自身建设，必须提高宗教工作法治化水平。
Xi noted that The CPC Central Committee has put forward a slew of new concepts and measures on religious work since the 18th CPC National Congress, answering the questions of “how to understand religions in the new era”, “how to deal with religious affairs”, and “how to ensure the effectiveness of major theories and practices of the Party’s work related to religious affairs”. Must profoundly recognize the importance of sound religious work to the overall work of the party and the state. Must establish and improve a strong leadership mechanism. Must adhere to and develop the socialist religious theories with Chinese characteristics. Must adhere to the party's basic policy of religious work. Must adhere to the direction of the sinicization of religions in China. Must rally the religious believers around the Party and government. Must foster positive and healthy relations among religions. Must support religious groups in strengthening self-building. Must improve the management of religious work under the rule of law.
This paragraph summarizes the latest experience in successfully managing religious affairs since the 18th party congress as “ nine musts”.
习近平指出，要完整、准确、全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策，尊重群众宗教信仰，依法管理宗教事务，坚持独立自主自办原则，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应。党的宗教工作的本质是群众工作。信教群众和不信教群众在政治上经济上的根本利益是一致的，都是党执政的群众基础。既要保护信教群众宗教信仰自由权利，最大限度团结信教群众，也要耐心细致做信教群众工作。宗教团体是党和政府团结、联系宗教界人士和广大信教群众的桥梁和纽带，要为他们开展工作提供必要的支持和帮助，尊重和发挥他们在宗教内部事务中的作用。
Xi emphasized the full and faithful implementation of the Party's policy on freedom of religious belief, respecting people's religious beliefs, managing religious affairs in accordance with the law, adhering to the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religions to adapt to the socialist society. The nature of our religious work is people’s work. Religious and non-religious people have consistent political and economic interests and are all the basis for our governance. We should protect their rights to religious freedom, unite them to the largest extent possible, and deal with affairs related to religious people in a meticulous manner. Religious groups stand as a bridge and a bond connecting the Party and the government with people from religious circles and the vast religious believers. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with necessary support and assistance, show respect for and give full play to their role in dealing with religious affairs in religious circles.
This paragraph frames religious followers as a special group within the people, which your host personally believes has several implications.
First, it indicates that the relationship between the party and religious groups are in essence the same with other civilian groups and that in the eye of the party religious groups shouldn’t expect preferable treatment, nor should they be wary of discriminative policies.
Second, it points that religious followers and non-followers share the same political and economic interests, suggesting that there should not be a conflict of interest between followers and non-followers.
Third, the party recognizes religious groups, such as the church or temples, play an intermediate role between the state and religious followers, and pledge to support those groups in serving as an effective link between the two sides.
习近平强调，要深入推进我国宗教中国化，引导和支持我国宗教以社会主义核心价值观为引领，增进宗教界人士和信教群众对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同。要在宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，有针对性地加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育，引导宗教界人士和信教群众培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，弘扬中华文化。要坚持总体国家安全观，坚持独立自主自办原则，统筹推进相关工作。要加强互联网宗教事务管理。要切实解决影响我国宗教健康传承的突出问题。
He stressed upholding the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context, developing religions with the guidance of core socialist values, and enhancing the recognition of people from religious circles and religious believers to the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics. He noted the importance of promoting education in patriotism, collectivism and socialism, and taking a targeted approach to studying the history of the Party, the People’s Republic of China, reform and opening up, and the development of socialism. Religious personages and believers should be guided to cultivate core socialist values and put them into practice and promote Chinese culture. He said it is imperative to pursue a holistic approach to national security, further uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, strengthen the management of religious affairs online, and effectively address prominent problems that affect the sound inheritance of religions in China.
The last sentence deserves extra attention, as not many problems can be described as prominent problems.
Sinicization of religions in China is obviously a key feature of China’s religion-related policies since the 18th party congress.
In 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, and twice this year, Xi Jinping reiterated its importance.
The first two sentences of this paragraph outlined a roadmap on how to push forward the sinicization of religions in China.
In a commentary, the People’s Daily said one of the measures to push forward sinicization could be to
支持各宗教深入挖掘教义教规中有利于社会和谐、时代进步、健康文明的内容，作出符合当代中国发展进步要求、符合中华优秀传统文化的阐释，使我国各宗教更具中国特色、中国风格、中国气派。
Support the religions to dig deeper into their doctrines that are conducive to social harmony, progress, and morality. Make interpretations that meet the requirements of development and progress of contemporary China and align with excellent Chinese traditional culture, so that the religions in China have more Chinese characteristics and style.
习近平指出，要支持引导宗教界加强自我教育、自我管理、自我约束，全面从严治教，带头守法遵规、提升宗教修为。要加强宗教团体自身建设，完善领导班子成员的民主监督制度。要全面推进宗教工作法治建设，深入开展法治宣传教育。宗教活动应当在法律法规规定范围内开展，不得损害公民身体健康，不得违背公序良俗，不得干涉教育、司法、行政职能和社会生活。
Xi stressed supporting and guiding religious circles to improve their self-education, self-management and self-discipline, urging full and strict governance of religions. He emphasized the need to strengthen the self-building of religious groups, improve the system of democratic supervision to officials of religious groups, promote the rule of law of our religious work. Religious activities should be carried out within the scope stipulated by laws and regulations, and must not impair the health of citizens, offend public order and good morals, interfere with educational, judicial and administrative affairs as well as social life, Xi said.
This paragraph holds some pointed language on the discipline of religious groups and could be interpreted as the “must nots“ are borne out of real necessities.
SARA issued a paper in 2010 that outlined some of the pressing problems in religious work. While they may not reflect the current picture, they can corroborate some of the languages in this paragraph.
习近平强调，要培养一支精通马克思主义宗教观、熟悉宗教工作、善于做信教群众工作的党政干部队伍，让他们深入学习马克思主义宗教观、党的宗教工作理论和方针政策、宗教知识，不断提升导的能力。要培养一支政治上靠得住、宗教上有造诣、品德上能服众、关键时起作用的宗教界代表人士队伍。要培养一支思想政治坚定、坚持马克思主义宗教观、学风优良、善于创新的宗教学研究队伍，加强马克思主义宗教学学科建设。要健全宗教工作体制机制，推动构建党委领导、政府管理、社会协同、宗教自律的宗教事务治理格局。要把握好涉及宗教工作的重大关系，多做打基础、利长远的工作，常抓不懈、久久为功。
Xi emphasized the training of a team of Party and government officials who are adept at the Marxist view on religion, familiar with religious affairs, and competent to engage in work related to religious believers. Xi also urged fostering a group of religious figures who are politically reliable, have noble characters and religious accomplishments, and can play their role at critical times. It is essential to strengthen the discipline development of Marxist religious theory by building a group of religious researchers who have firm political belief, uphold the Marxist religious outlook, are meticulous in study and research, and know how to make innovation in religious research. Xi also stressed improving work mechanisms related to religions and establish a governance paradigm led by the Party committee, managed by the government, coordinated by the society, and with the self-management of religious circles. The major relations related to religious affairs must be handled effectively, and our religious work should be tirelessly carried out with solid foundation on a long-term basis.
This paragraph focuses on three groups of people, administrators, religious figures, and religious theorists.
The newsletter is compiled by Yang Liu. The translation is done by Cui Qi, an intern for Beijing Channel. Chen Shan, a Xinhua colleague, contributed to the newsletter.
Disclaimer: The content of this newsletter only reflect your host’s personal opinion, and not that of anyone else. Translation in this newsletter only serve as a reference, and should not be considered as official translations of the original text.