Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: People of All Ethnic Groups in China Fully Enjoys the Freedom of Religious Belief
2021/11/18 11:15

China Daily: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on November 17, designating Russia, China and other eight countries as Countries of Particular Concern for violating religious freedom. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: China firmly opposes the groundless accusation and smearing against China's religious freedom by the US side. The Chinese government protects citizens' freedom of religious belief in accordance with law. In China, there are nearly 200 million religious believers, over 380,000 clerical personnel, about 5,500 religious groups and over 140,000 places of worship registered for religious activities. People of all ethnic groups in China fully enjoys the freedom of religious belief.

Facts speak louder than words, and a lie repeated a thousand times does not become truth. The spread of Islamophobia and other extremist ideologies in the US has caused a great deal of tragedy. Instead of reflecting on itself, the US has frequently used religious issues to interfere in other countries' internal affairs in disregard of facts. The US side should face up to its own problems, manage its own affairs well, respect facts, set aside prejudice and stop using religious issues to interfere and smear other countries.

(Source: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on November 18, 2021)


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