Religion Important in Harmonious Society

October 20, 2006

Source: China View

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/19/content_5225324.htm

China's top advisor Jia Qinglin said here Thursday that religion can play an important role in building a harmonious society.

"China has engaged itself in building a harmonious society, during which religion can play an important role," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, when meeting with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Douglas Williams. He said the policy of religious freedom has been carried out soundly since China adopted the reform and opening-up policy in 1978.

The Christianism in China has deep relations with Christianism in Britain and the Archbishops of Canterbury have also played a positive role in promoting friendship between the two peoples, he said. China will continue to support the Christianism in China to extend exchanges and cooperation equally and friendly with other churches in the world, Jia said.

He said the Chinese government has always attached great importance on relations with Britain, and high-level visits and exchanges have become frequent since the two countries established an all-round strategic partnership in 2004.

The two countries have maintained close coordination in major international and regional issues and achieved fruitful results in major cooperative fields, he said.