Religious freedom is a right enjoyed by all Chinese citizens. Every citizen has the right to believe or disbelieve, the freedom to renounce or embrace this or that religious faith and sect, and the right to practice a particular religion or promote atheism. The government prohibits interference in the normal religious life of the Chinese people. The ethnic minorities can maintain their temples, mosques and churches; and famous temples, mosques and monasteries are now under state protection, with the government responsible for their renovation and repair. The government maintains that religious activities should be conducted in temples, mosques and churches, and people who disbelieve in religion may not encroach upon these religious grounds to promote atheism.

　　The criminal code of the state stipulates that government employees who unlawfully deprive citizens of their freedom to conduct normal religious activities shall either be taken into custody or punished with a prison sentence of less than two years in serious cases.