Members of the Chairperson's Council of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) conducted a study survey at the Buddhist Academy of China in Beijing on Sept 8.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the event.

The council members visited an exhibition of historical materials at the academy. They were briefed on classroom teaching, library collections, and research achievements of the academy.

Following the visit, the council members held discussions with CPPCC National Committee members participating in the survey and officials from the National Religious Affairs Administration, the Buddhist Association of China and the Buddhist Academy of China.

The participants noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to religious affairs and put forward a series of new ideas and measures, leading to positive progress in religious work in the new era.

They called for fully implementing the Party’s theory and policies on religious affairs in the new era, and rallying religious believers around the Party and the government.

They stressed the need to uphold the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context, cultivate and practice core socialist values, promote the integration of religions in China with fine traditional Chinese culture, and guide religions to adapt to the socialist society. Continuous efforts should also be made to enhance recognition of the great motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics by religious figures and believers, and to encourage them to contribute to Chinese modernization.

Participants also highlighted the need to uphold and develop the religious theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen the development of the discipline of Marxist religious studies, improve religious educational institutions, conduct publicity and enhance education to foster the sense of community for the Chinese nation, and train qualified religious professionals.

They called for strengthening the governance of religious affairs in accordance with the law, supporting religious organizations in improving their own development, and advancing full and strict governance of religions.

CPPCC members, particularly those from religious bodies and ethnic groups, should conduct in-depth research and offer suggestions on major issues such as upholding the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation and improving the rule of law in religious affairs, to play a greater role in promoting harmony in religious affairs, unity among ethnic groups and social harmony.

Also participating in the study tour were Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and CPPCC National Committee vice-chairpersons Hu Chunhua, Wang Yong, Bater, Su Hui, Mu Hong and Wang Guangqian.

Relevant officials from the General Office and specialized committees of the CPPCC National Committee also attended the event.