BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- On the afternoon of Sept. 29, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 22nd group study session with focus on ensuring religions in China further adapt to the Chinese context. While presiding over the session, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed the need to draw upon and apply the historical experience, proceed from the actual religious work in China, enhance systems thinking, strengthen institutional development, boost comprehensive management, beef up work at the grassroots level, and take systematic steps to ensure that religions in China are Chinese in orientation so that they can adapt to the socialist society.

Zhang Xunmou, director of the religious research center under the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, gave a lecture on the topic and put forward suggestions in this regard. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively to the lecture and engaged in discussions.

Following the lecture and discussions, Xi made important remarks. He said since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has placed the work related to religious affairs in an important position in state governance, put forward in a clear-cut manner a series of new ideas and measures on upholding the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, improved systems and mechanisms for the religious work, and enhanced the rule of law in religious affairs, thus achieving positive results and effects in the religious work in the new era. History and practice have proven that only by advancing the adaptation of religions to the Chinese context can amity among different religions, ethnic solidarity, social harmony and the long-term peace and order of the country be achieved.

China is a socialist country under the leadership of the CPC. It is therefore essential that we provide active guidance for the adaptation of religions to the socialist society, Xi said. It is imperative to uphold core socialist values as guidelines to help religious figures and believers develop an accurate understanding of country, history, ethnicity, culture and religion, so that they cultivate a growing sense of identity with the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, and consciously participate in the drive for Chinese modernization, he said.

For their healthy continuity, the religions in China must always take root in the vast Chinese land and be nourished by rich Chinese culture, Xi said. He stressed the need to base efforts on the 5,000-year-long Chinese civilization to promote the integration of the religions in China with fine traditional Chinese culture, and guide religious figures and believers to deepen their sense of identity with Chinese culture.

To ensure that religions in China are Chinese in orientation, it is crucial to encourage religious circles to take the initiative and carry out self-reform. Support and guidance should be provided to ensure that religious doctrines, rules, management systems, rituals and behavioral norms embody Chinese characteristics and align with the requirements of the era, thereby enhancing religious circles' capabilities in self-education, self-management and self-discipline, Xi said.

He pointed out that administering religious affairs in accordance with the law is the fundamental way to properly handle various contradictions and problems in the religious field. It is necessary to improve relevant laws and policies, carry out in-depth publicity and education on the rule of law, promote strict law enforcement, and effectively improve the management of religious work under the rule of law.

Party committees at all levels must strengthen leadership over the work related to religious affairs, fully implement the Party's theories, principles and policies on religious work in the new era, deepen research on strategic, foundational and practical issues, build a strong team of personnel for the work related to religious affairs, and consolidate the foundation at the grassroots level, so as to forge a greater synergy for making sure that religions in China are Chinese in orientation, Xi said.