China Citizens Gain Right to Provide Religious Education to Children

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson made an historical announcement yesterday, 15th March, when it was declared that Chinese citizens will now have the right to provide religious education for their children.

The announcement took place at a regularly scheduled press conference in Beijing, where Liu Jianchao was questioned regarding China’s laws and policies on religious beliefs and minors.

Liu reported, "The Chinese government respects and protects citizens' rights of religious belief. According to the Chinese constitution and regulations, citizens have the right to believe in religion or not to believe in religion."

He continued, "Chinese law has no regulation that minors under the age of 18 cannot believe in religion; in the meantime, Chinese laws and regulations stipulate that no organisation or individual should use religion to interfere in the public education of school and society."

After these comments the spokesperson was then asked whether China will allow parents to provide religious education for their children, to which Liu replied, "I think my answer is positive."

Recently China also implemented a new religious legislative law, which was aimed at increasing the religious freedom in the country. However, it has been widely criticised for in fact threatening religious freedom. How, in addition, a Catholic news agency AsiaNews has initiated a campaign to protest against the Chinese government to liberate 19 bishops and 18 priests, who were arrested or kept from carrying out their ministries.