Religion must align with law for ethnic and social harmony in China, Xi says

Name: What is religious Sinicisation in China and why is it important to Beijing?
Uploaded: 2025-09-30T08:00:43.000Z
Description: What is religious Sinicisation in China and why is it important to Beijing?

During a Politburo study session, Xi Jinping says Beijing must ‘implement strict law enforcement’ regarding religion

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently visited Tibet and Xinjiang, has called for China’s religious leaders to be better “guided” to embody Chinese characteristics in religious doctrines, rules, management systems, rituals and customs. Photo: Xinhua

William Zheng

Published: 4:00pm, 30 Sep 2025Updated: 3:05pm, 3 Oct 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for further enactment of law and regulation, as well as stricter law enforcement, in religious affairs in a push to Sinicise religions in the country, according to state media.

Xi made the remark on Monday while presiding over a group study session of the ruling Communist Party’s Politburo.

“Governing religious affairs in accordance with the law is the fundamental way to properly handle various contradictions and problems in the religious field,” he said, according to state news agency Xinhua.

“[We must] enhance relevant laws and policies, carry out in-depth legal publicity and education, and implement strict law enforcement.”

What is religious Sinicisation in China and why is it important to Beijing?

Xi said that continuously promoting the Sinicisation of religions – a term used by the ruling party to describe efforts to orient all religions in China towards Chinese politics and culture – was “the only way” for religious, ethnic and social harmony, and the long-term stability of the country, according to Xinhua.

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