中国的宗教信仰自由状况

Freedom of Religious Belief in China

中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室

Information Office of the State Council Of the People's Republic of China

一九九七年十月·北京

October 1997, Beijing

目录

Contents

一、中国的宗教现状

I. The Present Conditions of Religion in China

二、宗教信仰自由的法律保护

II. Legal Protection of the Freedom of Religious Belief

三、宗教信仰自由的司法行政保障和监督

III Judicial and Administrative Guarantees and Supervision of the Freedom of Religious Belief

四、对独立自主自办宗教事业的支持

IV. Support for Independence and Initiative in Management of Religious Affairs

五、对少数民族宗教信仰自由权利的保护

V. Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religious Belief for Ethnic Minorities

　　一、中国的宗教现状

　　I. The Present Conditions of Religion in China

　　中国是个多宗教的国家。中国宗教徒信奉的主要有佛教、道教、伊斯兰教、天主教和基督教。中国公民可以自由地选择、表达自己的信仰和表明宗教身份。据不完全统计，中国现有各种宗教信徒一亿多人，宗教活动场所8.5万余处，宗教教职人员约30万人，宗教团体3000多个。宗教团体还办有培养宗教教职人员的宗教院校74所。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　China is a country with a great diversity of religious beliefs. The main religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. Citizens of China may freely choose and express their religious beliefs, and make clear their religious affiliations. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 100 million followers of various religious faiths, more than 85,000 sites for religious activities, some 300,000 clergy and over 3,000 religious organizations throughout China. In addition, there are 74 religious schools and colleges run by religious organizations for training clerical personnel.

　　——佛教在中国已有二千年历史。现在中国有佛教寺院1.3万余座，出家僧尼约20万人，其中藏语系佛教的喇嘛、尼姑约12万人，活佛1700余人，寺院3000余座；巴利语系佛教的比丘、长老近万人，寺院1600余座。

　　--Buddhism has a history of 2,000 years in China. Currently China has 13,000-some Buddhist temples and about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. Among them are 120,000 lamas and nuns, more than 1,700 Living Buddhas, and 3,000-some temples of Tibetan Buddhism and nearly 10,000 Bhiksu and senior monks and more than 1,600 temples of Pali Buddhism.

　　——道教发源于中国，已有一千七百多年历史。中国现有道教宫观1500余座，乾道、坤道2.5万余人。

　　--Taoism, native to China, has a history of more than 1,700 years. China now has over 1,500 Taoist temples and more than 25,000 Taoist priests and nuns.

　　——伊斯兰教于公元七世纪传入中国。伊斯兰教为中国回、维吾尔等10个少数民族中的群众信仰。这些少数民族总人口约1800万，现有清真寺3万余座，伊玛目、阿訇4万余人。

　　--Islam was introduced into China in the seventh century. Nowadays in China there are ten national minorities, including the Hui and Uygur, with a total population of 18 million, whose faith is Islam. Their 30,000-odd mosques are served by 40,000 Imams and Akhunds.

　　——天主教自公元七世纪起几度传入中国，1840年鸦片战争后大规模传入。中国现有天主教徒约400万人，教职人员约4000人，教堂、会所4600余座。

　　--Catholicism was introduced into China intermittently in the seventh century, but it had not spread widely until after the Opium War in 1840. At present, China has four million Catholics, 4,000 clergy and more than 4,600 churches and meeting houses.

　　——基督教(新教)于公元十九世纪初传入中国，并在鸦片战争后大规模传入。中国现有基督徒约1000万人，教牧传道人员1.8万余人，教堂1.2万余座，简易活动场所(聚会点)2.5万余处。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　--Protestantism was first brought to China in the early 19th century and spread widely after the Opium War. There are about 10 million Protestants, more than 18,000 clergy, more than 12,000 churches and 25,000-some meeting places throughout China.      

　　在中国，全国性的宗教团体有中国佛教协会，中国道教协会，中国伊斯兰教协会，中国天主教爱国会，中国天主教主教团，中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会，中国基督教协会等。各宗教团体按照各自的章程选举、产生领导人和领导机构。

　　China has the following national religious organizations: Buddhist Association of China, Taoist Association of China, Islamic Association of China, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, Chinese Catholic Bishops' College, Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches of China, and China Christian Council. Religious leaders and leading organs of the various religious bodies are selected and ordained in accordance with their own regulations.

　　中国各宗教团体自主地办理教务，并根据需要开办宗教院校，印刷发行宗教经典，出版宗教刊物，兴办社会公益服务事业。中国与世界许多国家一样，实行宗教与教育分离的原则，在国民教育中，不对学生进行宗教教育。部分高等院校及研究机构开展宗教学的教学和研究。在各宗教组织开办的宗教院校中，根据各教需要进行宗教专业教育。宗教教职人员履行的正常教务活动，在宗教活动场所以及按宗教习惯在教徒自己家里进行的一切正常的宗教活动，如拜佛、诵经、礼拜、祈祷、讲经、讲道、弥撒、受洗、受戒、封斋、过宗教节日、终傅、追思等，都由宗教组织和教徒自理，受法律保护，任何人不得干涉。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Religious organizations in China run their own affairs independently and set up religious schools, publish religious classics and periodicals, and run social services according to their own needs. As in many other countries, China practices the principle of separating religion from education; religion is not a subject taught in schools of the popular education in China, although some institutions of higher learning and research institutes do teach or conduct research into religion. The various religious schools and institutes set up by the different religious organizations teach religious knowledge in line with their own needs. All normal clerical activities conducted by the clergy and all normal religious activities held either at sites for religious activities or in believers' own homes in accordance with usual religious practices, such as worshipping Buddha, reciting scriptures, going to church, praying, preaching, observing Mass, baptising, monkhood initiation, fasting, celebrating religious festivals, observing extreme unction, and holding memorial ceremonies, are protected by law as the affairs of religious bodies and believers themselves and may not be interfered with.

　　发生于1966年至1976年的“文化大革命”，对包括宗教在内的中国社会各个方面都造成了灾难性破坏。中国各级政府在纠正“文化大革命”错误的过程中，也为恢复、落实宗教信仰自由政策，作出了巨大努力，平反了宗教界人士蒙受的冤假错案，恢复开放了宗教活动场所。八十年代以来，中国基督教每年恢复、新建教堂约600所；到1996年底，累计印刷发行《圣经》达1800多万册，并受到多种免税优惠；中国基督教协会自1983年起编辑出版的《赞美诗》累计发行达800多万册。从1958年至1995年，中国天主教已先后自选自圣主教126位。近十余年中国天主教培养、祝圣的年轻神甫有900多人。北京基督教崇文门堂每周的主日礼拜有3000多人参加。天主教北京南堂每周日有4台弥撒，有2000多人参加，其中一台是专为在北京的外国人举行的英文弥撒。

　　The "cultural revolution" (1966 to 1976) had a disastrous effect on all aspects of the society in China, including religion. But in the course of correcting the errors of the "cultural revolution" governments at all levels made great efforts to revive and implement the policy of freedom of religious belief, redressed the unjust, false or wrong cases imposed on religious personages, and reopened sites for religious activities. Since the 1980s, approximately 600 Protestant churches have been reopened or rebuilt each year in China. By the end of 1996 more than 18 million copies of the Bible had been printed, with special tax exemption treatment speeding their publication. In addition, more than eight million copies of a hymn book published by the China Christian Council in 1983 have been distributed. From 1958 to 1995, a total of 126 Catholic bishops were selected and ordained by the Chinese Catholic church itself. In the past dozen years more than 900 young Catholic priests have been trained or consecrated by Chinese Catholicism. More than 3,000 Protestants attend the Sunday service at Chongwenmen church in Beijing each week. The Beijing Nantang Catholic Cathedral observes Mass four times each week with an attendance of more than 2,000. Of these, one Mass is held in English specially for foreigners in Beijing.

　　在漫长的历史发展中，中国各宗教文化已成为中国传统思想文化的一部分。中国的宗教徒有爱国爱教的传统。中国政府支持和鼓励宗教界团结信教群众积极参加国家的建设。各宗教都倡导服务社会，造福人群，如佛教的“庄严国土，利乐有情”，天主教、基督教的“荣神益人”，道教的“慈爱和同、济世度人”，伊斯兰教的“两世吉庆”等。

　　In the course of the country's long history, the various religions in China have become part of the traditional Chinese thinking and culture. It is traditional for Chinese religious believers to love their country and religions. The Chinese government supports and encourages the religious circles to unite the religious believers to actively participate in the construction of the country. The various religions all advocate serving the society and promoting people's well-being, such as the Buddhists' "honoring the country and benefiting the people", the Catholics and Protestants' "glorifying God and benefiting the people", the Taoists' "being benevolent, peaceful and harmonious, saving the world and benefiting the people", and the Islam's "praying to allah to give great reward in this world and hereafter".

　　在中国，各种宗教地位平等，和谐共处，未发生过宗教纷争；信教的与不信教的公民之间也彼此尊重，团结和睦。这既是由于源远流长的中国传统思想文化中兼容、宽容等精神的影响，更是因为中华人民共和国成立后，中国政府制定和实施了宗教信仰自由政策，建立起了符合国情的政教关系。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　In China all religions have equal status and coexist in tranquillity. Religious disputes are unknown in China. Religious believers and non-believers respect each other, are united and have a harmonious relationship. This shows, on the one hand, the influence of traditional Chinese compatibility and tolerance, and, on the other, the fact that since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 the Chinese government has formulated and carried out the policy of freedom of religious belief and established a politico-religious relationship that conforms to China's national conditions.

　　二、宗教信仰自由的法律保护

　　II. Legal Protection of the Freedom of Religious Belief

　　中国公民的宗教信仰自由权利受到宪法和法律的保护。

　　Chinese citizens' right to the freedom of religious belief is protected by the Constitution and laws.

　　在《中华人民共和国宪法》中，宗教信仰自由是公民的一项基本权利。宪法第三十六条规定：“中华人民共和国公民有宗教信仰自由。”“任何国家机关、社会团体和个人不得强制公民信仰宗教或者不信仰宗教，不得歧视信仰宗教的公民和不信仰宗教的公民。”“国家保护正常的宗教活动。”同时也规定：“任何人不得利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序、损害公民身体健康、妨碍国家教育制度的活动。”“宗教团体和宗教事务不受外国势力的支配。”微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　In the Constitution of the People's Republic of China freedom of religious belief is a basic right enjoyed by all citizens. Article 36 of the Constitution stipulates, "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief." It also goes on to say, "No State organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion." Again, "the State protects normal religious activities," and "No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the State." In addition, "Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination."

　　中国的《民族区域自治法》、《民法通则》、《教育法》、《劳动法》、《义务教育法》、《人民代表大会选举法》、《村民委员会组织法》、《广告法》等法律还规定：公民不分宗教信仰都享有选举权和被选举权；宗教团体的合法财产受法律保护；教育与宗教相分离，公民不分宗教信仰依法享有平等的受教育机会；各民族人民都要互相尊重语言文字、风俗习惯和宗教信仰；公民在就业上不因宗教信仰不同而受歧视；广告、商标不得含有对民族、宗教歧视性内容。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　China's Law on National Regional Autonomy, General Principles of the Civil Law, Education Law, Labor Law, Compulsory Education Law, Electoral Law of the People's Congresses, Organic Law of the Villagers' Committees, Advertisement Law, and other laws stipulate that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, have the right to vote and stand for election; the legitimate property of religious bodies is subject to legal protection; education is separate from religion, and all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, enjoy equal educational opportunities in accordance with the law; the people of all ethnic groups should respect each other's languages, customs and habits, and religious beliefs; citizens shall not be discriminated against in terms of employment because of different religious beliefs; and no advertisements or trade marks shall include discriminatory contents against any ethnic group or religion.

　　中国政府颁布了《宗教活动场所管理条例》，以维护宗教活动场所的合法权益。条例规定：宗教活动场所由该场所的管理组织自主管理，其合法权益和该场所内正常的宗教活动受法律保护，任何组织和个人不得侵犯和干预。侵犯宗教活动场所的合法权益将承担法律责任。在宗教活动场所进行宗教活动也必须遵守法律、法规。

　　The Chinese government has promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Sites for Religious Activities so as to protect the lawful rights and interests of such sites. The Regulations specify: Sites for religious activities shall be run independently by the administrative organizations thereof, whose lawful rights and interests and normal religious activities at the sites shall be protected by law. No organization or individual may violate or interfere with such rights, interests or activities. Anyone who encroaches on the lawful rights and interests of the sites for religious activities shall bear legal responsibilities. Religious activities conducted at the sites, however, must conform to laws and regulations.

　　中国政府还颁布了《中华人民共和国境内外国人宗教活动管理规定》，尊重在中国境内的外国人的宗教信仰自由，保护外国人在宗教方面同中国宗教界进行的友好往来和文化学术交流活动。外国人可以在中国境内的宗教活动场所参加宗教活动，可以应省级以上宗教团体的邀请讲经、讲道，可以在县级以上人民政府认可的场所举行外国人参加的宗教活动，可以邀请中国宗教教职人员为其举行洗礼、婚礼、葬礼和道场法会等宗教仪式，可以携带自用的宗教印刷品、宗教音像制品和其他宗教用品进入中国国境。外国人在中国境内进行宗教活动，应当遵守中国的法律、法规。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The Chinese government has promulgated the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Aliens Within the Territory of the People's Republic of China. China respects the freedom of religious belief of aliens within Chinese territory and protects their friendly contacts and cultural and academic exchanges with Chinese religious circles with respect to religion. Aliens may participate in religious activities at recognized sites for religious activities within Chinese territory. They may also preach at the invitation of Chinese religious bodies at or above the provincial level. Aliens may hold religious activities attended by aliens at sites approved by people's governments at or above the county level. They may invite Chinese clerical personnel to conduct such religious rituals as baptisms, weddings, funerals and prayer meetings, and may bring with them printed religious matter, audio-visual religious material and other religious articles for personal use while entering Chinese territory. Aliens who conduct religious activities within Chinese territory shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations.

　　中国对公民宗教信仰自由权利的法律保障，与有关国际文书和公约在这方面的主要内容是基本一致的。《联合国宪章》、《世界人权宣言》、《经济、社会、文化权利国际公约》、《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》、联合国《消除基于宗教或信仰原因的一切形式的不容忍和歧视宣言》以及《维也纳宣言和行动纲领》中关于宗教或信仰自由是一项基本人权，公民有宗教或信仰的选择自由，不得以宗教或信仰原因为由对任何人加以歧视，有宗教礼拜和信仰集会及设立和保持一些场所之自由，有编写、发行宗教或信仰刊物的自由，有按宗教或信仰戒律过宗教节日及举行宗教仪式的自由，促进和保护民族、种族、宗教和语言上属于少数的人的权利等，这些内容在中国的法律、法规中都有明确规定，并得到实行。

　　The legal protection of citizens' right to the freedom of religious belief in China is basically in accordance with the main contents of the concerned international documents and conventions in this respect. The following stipulations in the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convenient on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and the Vienna Declaration and Action Program are all included in China's laws and legislation in explicit terms and are being put into practice: that freedom of religion or belief is a basic human right; people should enjoy freedom of religion or belief; no one should be discriminated against because of religious affiliation or belief; people should enjoy freedom of religious service and assembly, and the freedom to set up and maintain places of worship; they should have the freedom to compile and distribute printed materials pertaining to religion or belief; they should have the freedom to celebrate religious festivals and hold religious rites based on their faiths and morals; and they should have the right to promote and protect the rights pertaining to only a small number of people ethnically, racially, religiously and linguistically.

　　中国法律规定，公民在享有宗教信仰自由权利的同时，必须承担法律所规定的义务。在中国，任何人、任何团体，包括任何宗教，都应当维护人民利益，维护法律尊严，维护民族团结，维护国家统一。这与联合国人权文书和公约的有关内容是一致的。《消除基于宗教或信仰原因的一切形式的不容忍和歧视宣言》中提出：“有表明自己选择宗教或信仰的自由，其所受限制只能在法律规定以及为保障公共安全、秩序、卫生或道德、或他人基本权利和自由所必要的范围之内。”《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》也提出：“任何鼓吹民族、种族或宗教仇恨的主张，构成煽动、歧视、敌视或强暴者，应以法律加以制止。”无论信仰宗教的公民还是不信仰宗教的公民，在法律面前一律平等。这也是一个现代文明和法治国家的基本要求。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　According to Chinese law, while all citizens enjoy the right to freedom of religious belief they must also carry out duties prescribed by law. In China, all individuals and organizations, including all religions, must safeguard the people's interests, the sanctity of the law, ethnic unity and unification of the nation. This is in conformity with the relevant clauses of the UN documents and conventions on human rights. The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief states: "Freedom to manifest one's religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedom of others." The International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights notes: "Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law." Citizens who believe in religion and those who do not believe in religion are equal before the law. This is a basic requirement for modern civilization and nations subject to the rule of law.   

　　各国的历史、文化和国情不同，这决定了各国保护宗教信仰自由的实践会有不同的特点。中国在强调保护信教自由时，也强调保护不信教的自由，把两者置于同等重要的位置，从而在完整意义上体现了宗教信仰自由。这是对公民基本权利更充分、更全面的保护。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Each country has its own history, culture and national conditions, which decide that each country's protection of freedom of religious belief has its own characteristics. While stressing the protection of freedom of religious belief China pays equal attention to the protection of the freedom not to believe in religion, thus ensuring freedom of religious belief in a complete sense. This is a more complete and more comprehensive protection of citizens' basic rights.

　　中国政府认为，宗教信仰是公民个人的私事，而建设一个富强、民主、文明的社会主义现代化国家，维护国家的主权和民族的尊严，是包括信教和不信教群众在内的中国各族人民的共同目标和根本利益。因此，信教和不信教的人们可以做到政治上团结合作，信仰上互相尊重。

　　The Chinese government maintains that religious belief is a citizen's personal affair. However, the construction of a prosperous, powerful, democratic modern socialist country with advanced culture, and the safeguarding of the country's sovereignty and national dignity are the common goals and in the fundamental interest of Chinese people of all ethnic groups, including those who believe in a religion and those who do not. Therefore the people who believe in a religion and those who do not can unite and cooperate politically, and respect each other's beliefs.

　　宗教要与其所处的社会相适应，这是宗教存在与发展的普遍规律。中国人民正在建设有中国特色的社会主义现代化国家，中国政府倡导宗教要与之相适应。这种相适应不是要求公民放弃宗教信仰，不是改变宗教的基本教义，而是要求宗教在法律的范围内活动，与社会的发展与文明的进步相适应。这是符合信教群众和各宗教本身的根本利益的。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Religion should be adapted to the society in which it is prevalent. This is a universal law for the existence and development of religion. Now the Chinese people are building China into a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese government advocates that religion should adapt to this reality. However, such adaptation does not require citizens to give up religious belief, nor does it require any religion to change its basic doctrines. Instead, it requires religions to conduct their activities within the sphere prescribed by law and adapt to social and cultural progress. This conforms to the fundamental interests of religious believers as well as to those of the various religions themselves.

　　八十年代以来，中国部分地区出现了一些邪教组织，打着宗教旗号进行违法犯罪活动。邪教组织的为首分子或歪曲宗教教义，制造邪说，蒙骗群众，抗拒国家法律、法令的实施，煽动推翻政府；或利用迷信，装神弄鬼，致人死伤；或聚众淫乱，诈骗钱财，严重危害人民正常的生活和生产秩序。广大人民群众和宗教界人士对此深恶痛绝。中国司法机关对这类严重危害社会和公众利益的违法犯罪分子依法惩处，正是为了维护公众利益和法律尊严，为了更好保护公民宗教信仰自由权利和正常的宗教活动。中国司法机关依法惩治犯罪，与宗教信仰无关，中国没有人因为信仰宗教被惩处。当今世界，任何法治国家都不会容忍这类打着宗教旗号进行违法犯罪活动。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Nevertheless, since the 1980s some pernicious organizations have sprung up in certain areas of China, which engage in illegal and even criminal activities under the signboard of religion. Some of the heads of these pseudo-religions distort religious doctrines, create heresies, deceive the masses, refuse to obey the State's laws and decrees, and incite people to overthrow the government. Some pretend to be supernatural beings, and have killed or injured people; others organize promiscuity, or defraud people of money or property. They are a serious danger to the normal life and productive activities of the people. The broad masses of the people and personages of the religious circles detest this phenomenon, and so, in order to safeguard the public interest and the sanctity of the law, and to better protect the people's right to freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities, China's judicial organs punish law-breakers and criminals who severely endanger the society and the public interest in accordance with the law. The punishment of criminals by China's judicial organs in accordance with the law has nothing to do with religious belief. No one in China is punished because of his or her religious belief. But no country that practices the rule of law in the world today would tolerate illegal and criminal activities being carried out under the banner of religion.

　　三、宗教信仰自由的司法行政保障和监督

　　III. Judicial and Administrative Guarantees and Supervision of the Freedom of Religious Belief

　　在司法保障方面，中国对侵犯公民宗教信仰自由权利的行为有明确的惩处规定。如《刑法》第二百五十一条规定：“国家机关工作人员非法剥夺公民的宗教信仰自由和侵犯少数民族风俗习惯，情节严重的，处二年以下有期徒刑或者拘役。”人民检察院也在《直接受理的侵犯公民民主权利、人身权利和渎职案件立案标准的决定》中规定，对国家工作人员非法剥夺他人正当的宗教信仰自由，如干涉他人正常的宗教活动或者强迫教徒退教，强迫公民信教或信某一教派，情节恶劣，后果严重，影响很坏的行为，以及非法封闭或捣毁合法宗教场所及其他宗教设施的行为等，应予立案。近年来，中国司法部门依法审理了若干起违反国家有关法律、严重伤害教徒宗教感情的案件，对责任者予以惩处。

　　With respect to judicial guarantee, China stipulates clearly the penalties for the infringement of citizens' right to freedom of religious belief. For instance, Article 251 of the Criminal Law states: "State personnel who unlawfully deprive citizens of their freedom of religious belief and infringe upon the customs and habits of minority ethnic groups, when the circumstances are serious, are to be sentenced to not more than two years of fixed-term imprisonment or criminal detention." In the Decisions on the Standards for Filing Directly Received Cases of Infringement Upon Citizens' Democratic and Personal Rights and Those of Malfeasance, it is stipulated that a people's procuratorate shall place on file a case in which a State functionary illegally deprives anyone of his or her legitimate freedom of religious belief-such as by interfering in normal religious activities, forcing a believer to give up his/her membership of a religion or compelling a citizen to profess a certain religion or adherence to a certain religious sect-and in which the offense is of an abominable nature and has brought about serious consequences and undesirable effects. A people's procuratorate shall also put on record cases of illegally closing or destroying lawful religious sites and other religious facilities. In recent years the Chinese judiciary, in accordance with the law, has tried several cases of infringing upon relevant laws of the State and seriously hurting the religious feelings of certain believers, and has meted out punishments to persons responsible for the offenses.

　　在行政保障方面，中国各级政府设立了宗教事务部门，对有关宗教的法律、法规的贯彻实施进行行政管理和监督，具体落实和执行宗教信仰自由政策。政府宗教事务部门不干涉宗教团体和宗教活动场所的内部事务。

　　With respect to administrative guarantee, governments at different levels have set up religious affairs departments to administer and supervise the implementation of the laws and statutes pertaining to religion and to put the policy ensuring the freedom of religious belief into effect. These departments shall not interfere in the internal affairs of religious organizations and sites.

　　与世界上一些国家一样，中国的宗教团体和宗教活动场所需依法向政府履行登记手续。宗教活动场所申请登记应具备基本的条件：有固定的处所和名称；有经常参加宗教活动的信教公民；有信教公民组成的管理组织；有主持宗教活动的宗教教职人员或符合各宗教规定的人员；有管理规章；有合法的经济收入。对不完全具备设立条件或在管理上存在一些突出问题的宗教活动场所政府部门予以暂缓登记或临时登记。对那些不具备登记条件的，如非法占用土地，违反城市规划法规，私自建立宗教设施的；假冒宗教教职人员擅自设立的；打着宗教的招牌，进行“驱魔赶鬼”等迷信活动的处所等，政府部门则不准予登记。宗教活动场所一经依法登记，便获取合法地位，其合法权益受到保护；遇有侵犯其权益的行为，宗教活动场所管理组织有权向政府有关行政机关申诉，直至向人民法院起诉，寻求行政和法律保护。对基督教教徒按照宗教习惯，在自己家里举行以亲友为主参加的祷告、读经等宗教活动(中国基督教习惯称之为“家庭聚会”)，不要求登记。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　In China religious organizations and sites for religious activities must register with the government in accordance with the law, which is the case in some other countries as well. Applications for such registration must meet the following basic requirements: a permanent site and name; regular attendance; a management organization composed of adherents to the relevant religion; clerical personnel for officiating religious activities or personnel with qualifications stipulated in regulations of various religions; management regulations and lawful income. Government departments shall defer the registration or only approve temporary registration of religious sites which cannot completely satisfy these basic requirements or have prominent management problems. Government departments shall not permit the registration of, for example, sites for religious activities which illegally occupy land or violate the statutes of city planning, which have been set up without authorization or which promote superstitious activities, such as exorcising evil spirits under the pretext of religious activities. Once a site for religious activities is registered according to law it has legal status and its lawful rights and interests shall be protected. If its rights and interests are infringed upon the organization in charge of the site is entitled to seek administrative and legal protection by appealing to the relevant government organ or taking the case to a people's court. There is no registration requirement for, to quote from Chinese Christians, "house services," which are mainly attended by relatives and friends for religious activities such as praying and Bible reading.

　　作为人民行使权力的机关的中国各级人民代表大会，以及在国家政治生活、社会生活中有重要作用的政治协商会议，对宗教信仰自由政策和法律规定的贯彻执行情况实施监督。在各级人民代表大会、政治协商会议中，有近1.7万名宗教界人士担任代表、委员。他们代表宗教界在人大、政协会议上参与国家大事和社会重要问题的讨论，并就政府涉及宗教的工作提出意见、建议、批评或议案、提案。仅1993年至1996年，国务院宗教事务局办复全国人大代表建议和全国政协提案就达50余件。

　　People's congresses at different levels, which are organs through which the people exercise their power, and the Chinese people's political consultative conferences at different levels, which are playing an important role in the political and social life of the State, shall supervise the implementation of the policy and laws relating to the freedom of religious belief. There are about 17,000 religious personages who are deputies to people's congresses or members of political consultative conferences at different levels. On behalf of religious circles they participate in the discussions of important State and social affairs at the people's congresses and political consultative conferences, and offer comments, suggestions and criticisms, or submit proposals and motions relating to the government's work on religion. During the three years from 1993 to 1996 alone the Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council heard and responded to more than 50 motions proposed by deputies to the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

　　四、对独立自主自办宗教事业的支持

　　IV. Support for Independence and Initiative in Management of Religious Affairs

　　中国的宗教事业由中国各宗教团体、教职人员和信教群众来办，中国的宗教事务和宗教团体不受外国势力支配。中国政府依照宪法和法律支持中国各宗教独立自主自办的事业。

　　China's religious affairs are handled by the various religious bodies, their clergy and followers themselves. China's religious affairs and religious bodies are not subject to any foreign domination. The Chinese government supports the management of religious affairs by the various religions themselves according to the Constitution and laws.

　　中国宗教实行独立自主自办的方针，是中国人民在反抗殖民主义、帝国主义侵略和奴役的斗争中，由中国宗教信徒自主作出的历史性选择。1840年鸦片战争后，中国逐步沦为半殖民地半封建社会。在这个过程中，西方的基督教和天主教被殖民主义、帝国主义利用，充当了侵略中国的工具，一些西方传教士扮演了不光彩的角色。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The principle of independence and taking the initiative in their own hands in the management of churches is a historical choice made by the Chinese religious believers of their own accord as part of the Chinese people's struggle against colonialist and imperialist aggression and enslavement. Following the Opium War of 1840 China declined to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial country. During this process Western Protestantism and Catholicism were used by colonialism and imperialism as a tool for aggression against China, and a number of Western missionaries played an inglorious part in this.

　　——参与贩卖鸦片和策划1840年英国侵略中国的鸦片战争。十九世纪，英国基督教传教士马礼逊和德国传教士郭实腊在东印度公司任职期间，参与向中国贩卖鸦片。一些传教士还竭力主张西方列强用武力强迫清政府开放沿海口岸，声称“只有战争能开放中国给基督”，并直接参与英国侵略中国的军事活动。

　　--They participated in the opium trade and in plotting the Opium War unleashed by Britain against China. In the 19th century Robert Morrison, a British missionary, and Karl Friedrich August Gutz, a German missionary, both working for the East India Company, participated in dumping opium in China. Some missionaries strongly advocated resort to force by Western powers to make the Qing government open its coastal ports, saying that it was only war that could open China to Christianity, and directly participated in the British mititary activities to invade China.

　　——参与1900年八国联军的侵华战争。一批传教士充当了联军的向导、翻译、情报官等，参与屠杀平民，掠夺钱财。美国著名作家马克·吐温说，传教士“从贫困的中国农民身上榨取13倍的罚款，因此让他们、他们的妻子和无辜的孩子们势必慢慢地饿死，而可以把这样获得的杀人代价用于传播福音”。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　--They participated in the war of 1900 launched by the allied forces of eight powers against China. A number of missionaries, serving as guides, interpreters and information officers, took part in the slaughter of Chinese civilians and the robbing of money and property. According to Mark Twain, the renowned American writer, some of the missionaries imposed on the poor Chinese peasants fines 13 times the amount they were supposed to pay, driving their wives and innocent children to lingering death from starvation, so that they were thus able to use the money gained through such murder to propagate the Gospel.

　　——参与策划、起草对华不平等条约。如1842年中英《南京条约》、1844年中美《望厦条约》、1858年中美和中法《天津条约》、1860年中法《北京条约》等，西方国家一些传教士直接参与了策划、起草。这些不平等条约先后规定，西方天主教、基督教传教士可在贸易港口租地自行建造礼拜堂，受地方官保护，“任传教士在各省租买田地，建造(教堂)自便”，中国地方官“务必厚待保护入内地传教之人”，中国官员不得查禁中国信教之人等。

　　--They directly took part in plotting and drafting unequal treaties, such as the Sino-British Treaty of Nanking of 1842, the Sino-American Treaty of Wanghea of 1844, the Sino-American and Sino-French treaties of Tientsin of 1858 and the Sino-French Convention of Peking of 1860. According to these unequal treaties, Western Catholic and Pretestant missionaries could lease land for building their own places of worship in trade ports and enjoyed the protection of local officials; missionaries could also freely lease or buy land for construction and other purposes in the provinces; local Chinese officials must treat kindly and protect those missionaries who came to inland regions to preach their religions; Chinese officials must not impose prohibitions on Chinese who professed a religious faith; etc.

　　——享有不受中国法律管辖的“治外法权”。西方列强依照领事裁判权对本国在华传教士给予保护。在“治外法权”下，西方一些传教士以帝国主义侵略势力为后盾，深入中国内地建教堂，设教区，霸占田产，欺压官民。这些传教士还肆意将“治外法权”延伸至中国信徒，干涉司法。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　--They enjoyed extraterritoriality, and were not governed by China's laws. The Western powers gave their missionaries in China protection on the strength of the consular jurisdiction they enjoyed. Taking advantage of extraterritoriality some Western missionaries, backed by the aggressive imperialist forces, went to inland China to build churches and set up parishes. They forcibly occupied land, and bullied and oppressed Chinese officials and civilians. These missionaries even wilfully extended the extraterritoriality to Chinese converts and interfered in Chinese judicial authority.

　　——以“教案”为借口强化西方列强在中国的统治。由于一些西方传教士凭借不平等条约，为非作歹，激起民愤，引发中国民众与西方传教士的冲突与纠纷，史称“教案”。从1840年至1900年，中国各地共发生“教案”400余起。西方国家借口“教案”，向中国政府施加军事或政治压力，提出种种无理要求，强迫赔款，捕杀无辜，甚至以此为口实发动侵略战争。其中，仅1870年“天津教案”，西方列强就强迫清朝官府处死中国民众20人，流放25人。

　　--They strengthened the control of the Western powers over China on the pretext of "religious cases," i.e., conflicts and disputes between Chinese people and the Western missionaries who incurred popular indignation by doing evil deeds under the protection of the unequal treaties. In the period between 1840 and 1900, some 400 such cases occurred in China. On the pretext of these religious cases the Western powers imposed military and political pressure on the Chinese government. They put forward various unreasonable demands, compelled the Chinese government to pay indemnities, and arrested and executed innocent people. Moreover, they even launched aggressive wars on such a pretext. In a case in Tianjin in 1870 alone, the Western powers compelled the Qing government to execute 20 people and exile 25.

　　——阻挠和反对中国的反法西斯斗争和人民革命。日本侵占中国东北后，罗马教廷率先公开承认日本扶植的伪“满洲国”，派驻“宗座代表”，采取实际上支持日本侵略中国的立场。抗战胜利后，一些西方传教士煽动宗教徒仇视人民革命，甚至组织武装帮助国民党打内战。

　　--They obstructed and opposed China's struggle against fascism and the Chinese people's revolution. After Japan invaded Northeast China the Vatican took a stand which was, in fact, supporting the Japanese aggression. It took the lead in recognizing the puppet Manchukuo regime set up by the Japanese and sent a representative there. After the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan some Western missionaries stirred up hostility against the people's revolution among the converts and even organized armed forces to help the Kuomintang fight in the civil war.      

　　——敌视新中国，策划破坏活动。新中国成立后，罗马教廷数次发出“通谕”，煽动教徒敌视新生的人民政权。

　　--They adopted a hostile attitude toward New China and plotted sabotage. After the founding of New China in 1949 the Vatican issued papal encyclicals several times instigating hatred against the new people's political power among the converts.

　　西方天主教、基督教在中国近代史上被利用来充当这些不光彩角色的同时，还操纵、控制中国教会，使中国教会变成西方修会、差会的附庸。中国籍神职、教牧人员和广大教徒处于无权地位。二十世纪四十年代，中国天主教20个总主教中，外国籍占17人，中国籍仅3人；在143个教区中，外国籍主教有110多人，中国籍主教只有20余人。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　While playing an inglorious role in modern Chinese history, Western Catholicism and Protestantism manipulated and controlled Chinese churches turning them into the appendages to Western religious orders and mission societies. Under these circumstances Chinese clergymen and the vast majority of their followers had no rights. In the 1940s among the 20 archbishops in China there were 17 foreigners and only three Chinese; in the 143 parishes there were some 110 foreign bishops but only about 20 Chinese bishops.

　　中国基督教界早有人提出摆脱外国教士控制的主张，并开始从事中国基督教自立组织的活动。但在半殖民地半封建的旧中国，中国教会真正实现独立自主自办是根本不可能的。

　　Some Chinese Christians early on expressed their wish to cast off such control and began establishing their own independent Christian organizations. However, in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal old China it was absolutely impossible for Chinese churches to maintain real independence and realize self-management.

　　1949年，中华人民共和国成立，结束了半殖民地半封建社会的历史，从而为中国天主教和基督教实现独立自主自办提供了历史条件。1950年7月，吴耀宗等40位各教派负责人，发表《中国基督教在新中国建设中努力的途径》的“三自宣言”，表明了中国基督徒拥护新中国，摆脱帝国主义势力控制，实现中国教会自治、自养、自传。1950年9月，1527位基督教负责人签名拥护“三自宣言”。尔后的三四年间，在这个文件上签名的基督徒达40多万人，占当时全国基督徒的三分之二。自此，中国基督教走上了“三自”道路。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The founding of the People's Republic of China put an end to the era of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in China, thus providing the historical conditions for Chinese Catholicism and Protestantism to become independent and self-managing. In July 1950, 40 leading figures from various religious denominations headed by Wu Yaozong published the "Three-Self Declaration" titled "The Way in Which the Chinese Christianity Works for New China's Construction", expressing the attitude of Chinese Christians who supported New China, and their determination to cast off imperialist influence and achieve the "Three Selfs" (self-administration, self-support and self-propagation) of Chinese churches. In September 1950, 1,527 leading Christians signed the declaration. Three or four years later the number of Christians who had signed the document reached more than 400,000, about two-thirds of the total number of Christians in the country. Christians have since then adhered to the principles of the "Three Selfs".

　　1950年11月，四川广元县500多名天主教徒发表了“天主教自立革新运动宣言”，主张割断与帝国主义者各方面的关系，建立自治、自传、自养的新教会。这一宣言得到全国天主教神长教友的响应。尽管梵蒂冈一再采取敌视新中国的政治行动，中国天主教仍在1957年、1958年先后将选出的一名代理主教和两名主教报梵蒂冈。然而，梵蒂冈竟以“超级绝罚”相威胁，极大地伤害了中国天主教徒的感情，中国天主教从此坚定地走上了自选自圣主教、独立自主自办教会的道路。在信仰上，中国天主教与世界各地的天主教是一致的；在教会管理上，一切内部事务均由中国天主教教会自主决定。

　　In November 1950 more than 500 Catholics in Guangyuan County, Sichuan, published the Declaration on the Catholic Reform Movement of Self-Support, advocating cutting off the relationship with imperialism in all aspects and setting up new churches on the basis of self-administration, self-support and self-propagation. The declaration was welcomed by the leading Catholic clergymen and other converts in all parts of China. Though the Vatican took repeated political actions of hostility against New China, the Chinese church reported the appointment of one acting bishop and two full bishops, selected in 1957 and 1958, to the Vatican. However, the Vatican refused to recognize them threatening to mete out extraordinary punishments, greatly hurting the feelings of the Chinese Catholics. Since then the Chinese Catholic church has firmly taken the way of selecting and ordaining its own bishops and independently managing the churches. In religious belief Chinese Catholicism is the same as Catholicisms anywhere else in the world, while in church administration all the internal affairs are handled according to decisions made by the Chinese Catholic church independently.

　　几十年来，中国基督教、天主教坚持独立自主自办方针，得到了广大信教群众的认同和支持，也使教会和宗教活动有了健康发展。目前，中国基督教信徒总数是1949年的14倍。中国天主教115个教区，均由中国主教或教区长主持教会工作。

　　In the past few decades the Chinese Protestantism and Catholicism have stuck to the principle of independence and self-management, which has met with assent and support from the vast majority of believers and enabled the church and its religious activities to develop soundly. Now the total number of Chinese Christians is 14 times as many as in 1949. Chinese Catholicism has 115 parishes under the direction of Chinese bishops or priests.

　　中国的宗教坚持独立自主自办，同时在平等友好的基础上积极与世界各国宗教组织进行交往和联系。对同中国友好，尊重中国主权，尊重中国宗教独立自主自办事业的外国宗教组织和个人，中国的大门始终是敞开的。中国基督教和天主教与世界上许多国家教会建立了友好往来关系。1991年2月，中国基督教协会正式加入“世界基督教教会联合会”。中国天主教还先后派代表出席了“第五届‘宗教与和平’国际会议”和“世界天主教青年大会”等一些国际宗教会议。近年来，中国教会向国外选派了相当数量的留学生，并聘请外国教师和学者到国内的神学院校讲学。中国佛教、道教和伊斯兰教的国际友好交往也日益扩大。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　While adhering to the principle of independence and self-administration, Chinese religions are active in making exchanges and contacts with their counterparts all over the world on the basis of equality and friendship. China is always open to foreign religious organizations and individuals who are friendly to China, respect China's sovereignty and Chinese religions' principle of independence and self-administration. China's Protestantism and Catholicism have maintained friendly contacts with churches in many countries. In February 1991 the China Christian Council officially joined the World Council of Churches. The Chinese Catholic Church has sent representatives to attend some international religious conferences successively, such as the Fifth World Conference on Religion and Peace and the World Catholic Youth Day. In recent years Chinese churches have sent quite a number of students to study abroad and invited foreign lecturers and scholars to teach in China's theological seminaries. Friendly international exchanges are also increasing in the areas of China's Buddhism, Taoism and Islam.

　　中国政府一贯坚持独立自主的和平外交政策，愿意改善同梵蒂冈的关系。但必须符合两个基本条件：第一，梵蒂冈必须断绝同台湾的所谓“外交关系”，承认中华人民共和国政府是中国唯一合法政府，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分；第二，梵蒂冈不得以宗教事务为名干涉中国的内部事务。中国和梵蒂冈的关系首先是国家关系，只有在国家关系改善后才能谈宗教问题。无论中国和梵蒂冈的关系是否改善，中国政府都将一如既往地支持中国天主教高举爱国主义旗帜，坚持独立自主自办教会方针和自选自圣主教。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The Chinese government has consistently adhered to a peaceful foreign policy of independence and taking initiative in its own hands, and is willing to improve the relations with the Vatican. However, such improvement requires two basic conditions: First, the Vatican must end its so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognize that the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government in China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Second, the Vatican must not interfere in China's internal affairs on the pretext of religious affairs. In the first place, the relationship between China and the Vatican is one between two countries. Therefore, only when the relations between the two countries improve can religious issues be discussed. Whether the relations between China and the Vatican change or not, the Chinese government will, as always, support Chinese Catholicism which holds aloft the banner of patriotism, sticks to the principle of independence and self-management, and stands for selection and ordination of bishops by itself.

　　五、对少数民族宗教信仰自由权利的保护

　　V. Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religious Belief for Ethnic Minorities

　　中国是一个统一的多民族国家。中国政府执行各民族平等、团结、互助的民族政策，尊重和保护少数民族宗教信仰自由的权利和风俗习惯。《中华人民共和国民族区域自治法》规定：“民族自治地方的自治机关保障各民族公民有宗教信仰自由。”微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　China is a united country of many ethnic groups. The Chinese government pursues a policy of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all the ethnic groups, respects and protects the right to freedom of religious belief and the folk customs of the ethnic minorities. The Law of the People's Republic of China on National Regional Autonomy stipulates: "Organs of self-government in ethnic regional autonomous areas protect the right to freedom of religious belief of the citizens of all ethnic groups."

　　中国政府在致力于促进少数民族地区经济、文化、教育等各项事业的进步，提高包括信教群众在内的广大少数民族群众物质文化生活水平的同时，特别注意尊重少数民族的宗教信仰，保护少数民族文化遗产。对各民族包括宗教文化在内的文化遗产和民间艺术进行普查、收集、整理、研究和出版。国家投入大量资金用于维修少数民族地区具有重要历史、文化价值的寺庙和宗教设施。

　　While making great efforts to promote progress in economy, culture, education and other undertakings in the areas where ethnic minorities live in compact communities, so as to improve the material and cultural well-being of the broad masses of the ethnic minorities (including believers in various religions), the Chinese government pays special attention to their religious beliefs and the protection of their cultural heritages. Special programs have been carried out to survey, collect, classify, study and publish the cultural heritages-including religious cultures-and folk arts of all the ethnic groups. In addition, the State has made huge investments in the maintenance and reconstruction of temples, mosques and other religious facilities of important historical and cultural value in ethnic-minority areas.

　　西藏是中国的一个民族区域自治地方。藏族多数群众信奉藏语系佛教。1951年和平解放以来，特别是改革开放以来，公民的宗教信仰自由权利在西藏得到了充分的贯彻落实。自八十年代以来，中央政府对西藏专项拨款2亿多元人民币，用于维修、修复著名的布达拉宫、大昭寺、札什伦布寺、桑耶寺等寺庙。国家还专门拨款，支持佛教界整理出版了藏文《大藏经》等重要藏语系佛教典籍，还支持佛教界在北京和拉萨分别开办了中国藏语系高级佛学院和西藏佛学院。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Tibet is one of China's ethnic autonomous regions, and the Tibetans mostly believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, and particularly since the introduction of the reform and opening policies in 1979, citizens' right to freedom of religious belief has been thoroughly carried out in Tibet. Since the 1980s the central government has allocated more than 200 million yuan in special funds for the maintenance and reconstruction of the famous Potala Palace and the Jokhang, Tashilhunpo and Samye monasteries. The State has also established special funds to support the work of compiling and publishing the Tripitaka in the Tibetan language and other major Tibetan Buddhist classics as well as the work of establishing the Advanced Buddhism College of Tibetan Language Family of China in Beijing and the Tibet College of Buddhism in Lhasa.

　　目前，西藏有1700多处佛教活动场所，住寺僧尼4.6万多人。信教者家中几乎都设有小经堂或佛龛，每年到拉萨朝佛敬香的信教群众达百万人以上。西藏处处可见从事佛事活动的信教群众，到处悬挂着经幡，堆积着刻有佛教经文的麻尼堆。一年一度的雪顿节中的宗教活动及传统的马年转冈仁波钦、羊年转纳木错湖等宗教活动，都得以正常进行并受到社会各方面的尊重。

　　At present, there are in Tibet over 1,700 places for Buddhist activities and a total of 46,000 resident monks and nuns. Small prayer halls or shrines are virtually universal in the homes of believers, and pilgrims coming to Lhasa number well over one million each year. Believers performing Buddhist rituals, and prayer umbrellas and Mani rocks carved with Buddhist sutras can be found all over the Tibet Autonomous Region. In addition, religious activities during the annual Sholton Festival and the traditional practice of circling Mount Kangrinboqe in the Year of the Horse and circling Lake Namco in the Year of the Sheep along pilgrim paths have been carried on and respected by society at large.

　　活佛转世是藏语系佛教特有的传承方式，得到了国家的承认和尊重。1992年，国务院宗教事务局批准了第十七世噶玛巴活佛的继任。1995年，中国严格按照宗教仪轨和历史定制，经过金瓶掣签，报国务院批准，完成了十世班禅转世灵童寻访、认定以及第十一世班禅的册立和坐床。这些举措充分反映了藏族群众宗教信仰自由权利受到尊重和保护，得到了西藏广大信教群众的拥护和支持。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The reincarnation of holy men, or "Living Buddhas," is a unique form of succession in Tibetan Buddhism which has long been recognized and respected by the State. In 1992 the Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council approved the succession of the 17th Karmapa Living Buddha. In 1995 China successfully concluded the search for and identification of the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama and the title-conferring and enthronement of the 11th Panchen Lama after lot-drawing from a golden urn according to the established religious rituals and historical conventions of Tibetan Buddhism, and with the approval of the State Council. These actions highlight the fact that the Tibetan people's right to religious freedom is respected and protected, thus winning endorsement and support from the converts of Tibet.

　　鉴于历史上的藏语系佛教大活佛在西藏社会生活中的特殊地位，中国的明代、清代逐步将活佛转世纳入了中央政府管理和国家典章法制范围内。1792年，清朝政府颁布法令，对呼图克图以上大活佛实行“金瓶掣签”，之后形成历史定制，并固定为藏语系佛教的宗教仪轨。经“金瓶掣签”认定的活佛转世灵童须报请中央政府批准后，方能正式继位。少数情况特殊者也需报请中央政府批准后方可免予掣签。“金瓶掣签”既坚持了中央政府的最高权威，维护了国家主权，又在宗教上体现了释迦牟尼的“法断”。从1792年至本世纪，在藏语系佛教大活佛转世系统中，有70多位转世灵童是经过“金瓶掣签”认定后报中央政府批准的。因此，大活佛转世经由中央政府批准，是藏语系佛教宗教仪轨和历史定制，是维护藏语系佛教正常秩序的关键。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　Considering the special place of the Grand Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism of past generations in Tibetan social life, the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties gradually put the identifying of the reincarnation of the Living Buddhas within the jurisdiction of the central government and into the framework of the State's laws and statutes. In 1792 the Qing government issued an order that the reincarnation of the Grand Living Buddhas above the Hutuktu rank be determined through drawing lots from the golden urn, which later developed into a historical institution and was accepted as a permanent religious ritual in Tibetan Buddhism. The "soul boy" confirmed through lot-drawing from the golden urn as the reincarnation of a Grand Living Buddha must be reported to the central government for approval prior to his official enthronement. The lot-drawing may be dispensed with under special circumstances, but this must also be reported to the central government in advance for approval. The practice of lot-drawing from the golden urn not only upholds the central government's supreme authority and the sovereignty of the State, but religiously displays the "decision by Sakyamuni's Dharma" as well. Since 1792, in the reincarnation system of the Grand Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism over 70 "soul boys" have been identified by confirmation through lot-drawing from the golden urn and with the approval of the central government. Therefore, the approval of the reincarnation of the Grand Living Buddhas by the central government is a religious ritual and historical convention of Tibetan Buddhism, and is the key to safeguarding the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism.

　　中国政府尊重和保护穆斯林群众的宗教信仰自由和风俗习惯。对穆斯林的朝觐，政府有关部门提供了各种服务，受到穆斯林的称赞。八十年代以来，中国赴麦加朝觐的穆斯林有4万多人。在新疆，现有清真寺达2.3万多座，宗教教职人员2.9万人，满足了信教群众过宗教生活的需要。中国政府也十分尊重信奉伊斯兰教的少数民族的饮食习惯和丧葬仪式，制定生产清真食品的法规，开辟穆斯林公墓。近年来，中国司法机关依法审理了有关出版物严重伤害穆斯林宗教感情的案件，维护了穆斯林的合法权益。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The Chinese government also respects and protects the Moslems' freedom of religious belief as well as their folk customs. The departments concerned in the government have provided special pilgrimage-related services for Moslem pilgrims, to the acclaim of the latter. Since the 1980s the number of Chinese Moslems going to Mecca on pilgrimages has exceeded 40,000. In the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region alone, there are now more than 23,000 mosques, with 29,000 clergymen, having thus met the needs of believers' religious life. Out of full consideration for the dietary habits and funeral rites of those ethnic-minority people who believe in Islam, the Chinese government has enacted regulations on the production of halal food and opened Moslems-only cemeteries. In recent years Chinese judicial organs have provided legal protection for the lawful rights of the Moslems. Some cases concerning publications badly hurting the religious feelings of the Moslems have been handled according to law.

　　中国政府坚决反对利用宗教狂热来分裂人民、分裂国家、破坏各民族之间团结的民族分裂主义，坚决反对利用宗教进行的非法活动和恐怖主义活动，坚决维护国家统一和少数民族地区的社会稳定，保护少数民族信教群众正常的宗教活动。

　　The Chinese government resolutely opposes attempts to split the country along ethnic lines, and any use of religious fanaticism to divide the people, split the country or harm the unity among all ethnic groups or engage in illegal activities and terrorist actions under the signboard of religion. Meanwhile, the Chinese government firmly upholds national unity and social stability in areas where ethnic minorities live in compact communities, and safeguards the normal religious activities of the ethnic-minority believers.

　　中国政府尊重国际社会在宗教信仰领域公认的原则，认为这些原则必须与各国具体情况相结合，并通过各国的国内法律来实施。中国政府反对在宗教领域搞对抗，反对利用宗教干涉别国内政。

　　The Chinese government respects the generally accepted principles regarding religious faiths in the international community, and holds that these principles must be applied in accordance with the concrete conditions and be carried out according to the domestic law of each country. The Chinese government opposes creatia confrontations in religion or interfering in the internal affairs of another country under the pretext of religion.

　　事实充分证明，新中国成立以来，特别是改革开放近二十年来，中国人民的人权状况得到了极大的改善，宗教信仰自由的权利也得到充分的尊重和保护。中国政府将一如既往地在维护人权包括保护宗教信仰自由方面作出更大的努力。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

　　The facts make it fully clear that remarkable improvements have been achieved in the situation of human rights of the Chinese people, and the freedom of religious belief has enjoyed full respect and legal protection since the founding of New China, particularly in the recent two decades following the implementation of reform and opening policies. The Chinese government will, as always, make ever-greater efforts to safeguard human rights and specifically to protect the freedom of religious belief.