1st Ld: China pledges to protect freedom of religious belief

BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- China pledged to continue to respect and protect its citizens' freedom of religious belief in a white paper published Tuesday.

As a socialist country under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China adopts policies on freedom of religious belief based on national and religious conditions to protect citizens' right to freedom of religious belief, build active and healthy religious relationships, and maintain religious and social harmony, said the white paper published by the State Council Information Office, titled "China's Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief."

"Religious believers and non-believers respect each other, and live in harmony, committing themselves to reform and opening up and the socialist modernization, and contribute to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," the white paper said. Enditem