The Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee convened a thematic consultative meeting on enhancing cultivation of religious talent in Beijing on Aug 29. The meeting was addressed by Bater, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. 

Participants agreed that, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, relevant departments across the country have implemented religious policies made by the CPC Central Committee and guided religious communities to fully implement the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context throughout the teaching process in religious academies. This has significantly improved religious talent cultivation, thereby providing a solid foundation for the healthy transmission of religions in China. 

The meeting underscored the importance of implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee  and the national conference on work related to religious affairs. Participants called for further efforts to support religious communities in running high-quality academies and strengthening the development of religious talent in a bid to uphold the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context and provide active guidance for the adaptation of religions to socialist society. 

The meeting also highlighted the need to leverage the institutional strengths of the CPPCC to focus on key and challenging issues in the cultivation of religious talent. Continuous research and in-depth investigation were encouraged to better understand the current situation, identify core issues and provide valuable recommendations. 

Heads of the national religious academies, along with members of the CPPCC National Committee and experts, delivered speeches at the meeting. Officials from relevant departments of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee also introduced related work and engaged in discussions.