Beijing urged to respect religious freedom amid 'anti-church' crackdown

Chinese citizens should have the freedom to practice their faith, to worship together, to establish religious venues, to use religious symbols, to publish religious books, and to disseminate religious faith, the consensus said.

Missionary work is currently illegal in China while Beijings State Administration for Religious Affairs tightly controls the construction and administration of places of worship.

The statement comes at a time of growing pessimism over the Communist Partys handling of religious matters.

Many Christians fear Beijing is planning a nationwide campaign to slow the growth of their community, which now counts tens of millions of members.

Those concerns have been fuelled by the total or partial demolition of at least half a dozen churches in Zhejiang province and a spate of detentions across China. Tan Jianhua and Zhang Yuncheng, two members of Beijings Shouwang church, have been in custody since last Sunday on charges of disturbing public order, said Jin Tianming, a church leader.

Beijing also faces criticism over what some describe as its heavy-handed treatment of Muslims in the far western province of Xinjiang.

During a tour of one Xinjiang mosque earlier this month, Xi Jinping, the president, said he hoped, religious people would continue their patriotic tradition and take a clear stance against extremism.

"I believe Xinjiang's religious people are righteous, he was quoted as saying by state media.

However, activists accuse the Communist Party of meddling in local religious practices and fear such interference will worsen following three deadly terrorist attacks that Beijing has blamed on extremists from Xinjiang.

Teng Biao, a respected human rights lawyer who signed the consensus, said activists were increasingly concerned about Beijings treatment of Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Muslims.

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Beijing urged to respect religious freedom amid 'anti-church' crackdown