Q: The CPC, as the ruling party, advocates antitheism. But the Constitution states that citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief. Are there contradictions? Can citizens freely participate in religious activities?

A: The CPC advocates antitheism and does not believe in any religion. However, we advocate dialectical materialism, which is belief in the primacy of matter. As a social phenomenon that exists objectively, religions have their own objective laws of development. According to historical materialism, religions as a social phenomenon will exist for a long term. Therefore there is no contradiction between advocating dialectical materialism and respecting freedom of religious belief.

Furthermore, all efforts of the CPC are to realize and protect the basic rights of the people. These rights are reflected in many aspects, and of course include people's right to choose their religious belief. Only when we respect people's freedom of religious belief can we unite more people to achieve the goal of rejuvenating China and establishing a better world. How can the CPC not be at peace with religions in the long term, and treat religions cautiously and friendly?

The Chinese Constitution says, "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 to 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." In 2004, China issued its first administrative regulations on religions, the Regulations on Religious Affairs, clearly stipulating the various rights of religious organizations and people who believe in any religions to hold religious activities, establish religious schools, publish religious books, manage religious properties, and so forth. The regulations also regulate administrative behaviors of related government agencies in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of people who believe in religions, religious organizations and places for religious activities.

Statistics show that at present, there are more than 100 million religious followers, more than 3,000 national or local religious organizations, more than 100,000 places for religious activities and about 300,000 clerics in China. If people go to South Cathedral and North Cathedral of Beijing, Christian churches in Beijing, or Taoist or Buddhist temples such as the Lama Temple, they will find that people there rub elbows. They will easily see that Chinese citizens can freely participate in religious activities.

          A lama blows a Buddhist trombone at a religious festival.