China’s Religious Practitioners Negating US Commission on International Religious Freedom

The People’s Daily published an article quoting Chinese religious leaders negating the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s “2010 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom,” published on April 29. The religious freedom report criticized China’s policy on religion and stated that China’s ban of Falun Gong is religious persecution.

The Chinese response included that the U.S. applies a “double standards” to support extremists and terrorist actions. It recommended that the U.S. pay more attention to its own religious situation instead of pointing fingers at other countries. It also stated that China’s ban on Falun Gong is to protect citizen’s basic human rights and religious freedom. The Tibetan upheaval in 2008 was planned and promoted by the Dalai Lama. Buddhists in China resolutely support the government and take necessary action against those who commit violent crimes (in Tibet).

Source: People’s Daily, May 8, 2010
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2010-05/08/content_511155.htm