The State Administration for Religious Affairs sent a Christmas congratulation letter to Chinese Catholic and Protestant communities.
Released on its official website on December 23, the letter says, "On the occasion of Christmas, we wish to extend cordial greetings and best wishes to you. On December 3-4, the central committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) hosted the National Conference on Religious Work, the first one of which was held five years ago. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC, emphasized the implementation of the CPC’s theory on religious affairs in the new age, the basic policy on religious work, and the policy on freedom of religion. He highlighted adhering to the principle of developing religion in the Chinese context and actively guiding religions to adapt to socialist society. He requested religious groups to enhance their self-management level and improve the law-based governance in religious affairs."
It also reads, "Catholics and Protestants should seriously address the outstanding problems affecting the sound inheritance of religious belief, improve the self-management skills, and work hard to train qualified persons. It is necessary to carry out full and strict governance of religion. Religious personages and believers should enhance their recognition of the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and the socialism with Chinese characteristics."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
天主教、基督教界的朋友们：
值此圣诞节来临之际，谨向你们致以诚挚的问候和良好的祝愿！
党中央在时隔5年后再次召开全国宗教工作会议 ，习近平总书记在会议上发表的重要讲话，强调要全面贯彻新时代党的宗教工作理论，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策。坚持我国宗教中国化方向，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，提高宗教界自我管理水平，提高宗教事务治理法治化水平。
信中强调了：天主教、基督教界的朋友们要认真解决影响宗教健康传承的突出问题，推进全面从严治教，提升自我管理水平，着力培养合格人才。引导宗教界人士和信教群众不断增进对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同，
祝天主教、基督教界的朋友们节日快乐！ 国家宗教事务局 2021年12月23日
http://www.sara.gov.cn/qtldyw/364967.jhtml
国家宗教事务局致天主教、基督教界的圣诞贺信
The State Administration for Religious Affairs sent a Christmas congratulation letter to Chinese Catholic and Protestant communities.
Released on its official website on December 23, the letter says, "On the occasion of Christmas, we wish to extend cordial greetings and best wishes to you. On December 3-4, the central committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) hosted the National Conference on Religious Work, the first one of which was held five years ago. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC, emphasized the implementation of the CPC’s theory on religious affairs in the new age, the basic policy on religious work, and the policy on freedom of religion. He highlighted adhering to the principle of developing religion in the Chinese context and actively guiding religions to adapt to socialist society. He requested religious groups to enhance their self-management level and improve the law-based governance in religious affairs."
It also reads, "Catholics and Protestants should seriously address the outstanding problems affecting the sound inheritance of religious belief, improve the self-management skills, and work hard to train qualified persons. It is necessary to carry out full and strict governance of religion. Religious personages and believers should enhance their recognition of the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and the socialism with Chinese characteristics."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
State Administration for Religious Affairs Delivers Christmas Greetings Letter to Chinese Christians
