China is a country with many religions, the most popular being Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity (both Catholicism and Protestantism). Currently, there are more than 100 million religious believers in China, with more than 85,000 sites for religious activities and 3,000-plus local religious organizations. Of about 300,000 religious clerics, 200,000 are Buddhist monks and nuns, 25,000 are Taoist monks and nuns, 40,000 are Islamic imams and akhunds (teachers), 4,000 are Catholic clerics and 18,000 are pastors and other staff.

The Constitution of the People's Republic of China stipulates, "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. The state protects normal religious activities.¡± Meanwhile, the Constitution also provides, "No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state." Also, "religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination."

Other Chinese laws also provide stipulations on religious belief, including the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, the General Principles of the Civil law, the Education Law, the Labor Law, the Compulsory Education Law, the Electoral Law of the National People's Congress and Local People's Congresses, the Organic Law of the Villagers' Committees, and the Advertising Law. Relevant stipulations are: All citizens, regardless of their religious belief, have the right to vote and stand for election; the legal property of religious organizations is protected by law; education and religion are separate and citizens, regardless of their religious belief, have equal chance to receive education according to law; ethnic groups shall respect one another's language, customs and religious belief; citizens shall not be discriminated against in employment because of different religious beliefs; and advertisements and trademarks shall contain no content suggestive of ethnic or religious discrimination.

The Chinese Government has promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Places and Sites for Religious Activities in a bid to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of places and sites for religious activities. According to the Rules on the Control of Religious Activities of Foreigners Within the Territory of the People's Republic of China, foreigners within the territory of China are respected for their freedom of religious belief, and are protected in their friendly contacts and cultural and academic exchanges with the Chinese religious community.

Chinese laws provide that citizens, while enjoying the freedom of religious belief, must bear obligations as stipulated by law. In China, all individuals, organizations and religions shall protect the people's interests, maintain the legal sanctity, and safeguard ethnic unity and national unification. This is consistent with relevant provisions of UN human rights documents and conventions.

While protecting normal religious activities, the state is resolute in cracking down on unlawful practices and reactionary activities under the disguise of religion, as well as various superstitious rather than religious activities that endanger social order and people's lives and property.