ICC NOTE: The Chinese Politburo has officially ordered retired cadres to shun all religious activity. This is the first time since the retirement policy was enacted in 1982 where retirees were barred from religious activities. Active party members have always been ordered to not attend or take part in religious activities even though a 2007 study showed nearly 84% of members admitted to some kind of religious belief. It is another move by Xi Jinping towards a repressive policy as the demolition of crosses and the detention of church leaders continues to rise. 

2/8/2016 Beijing, China (UCA News) – Religious groups must promote Chinese culture and become more compatible with socialism, top Politburo official Yu Zhengsheng has told faith leaders, as Beijing circulated orders for retired party cadres to shun all religious activity.

Yu said religious leaders were to form a “bridge” between the Communist Party and hundreds of millions of Chinese that follow the country’s five officially recognized religions — Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism.

“[Yu] called on religious groups in China to continue adding Chinese characteristics, dig into positive elements in their religions and make more effort in building a religious ideology with Chinese characteristics,” reported state news agency Xinhua.

Yu was flanked by Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Sun Chunlan, head of the United Work Front Department which manages relations with faith groups, at the highest-level meeting between senior officials and religious leaders in months. National broadcaster CCTV broadcast Yu’s instructions on its evening bulletin on Feb. 4.

Liu Yuanlong, who took part in his role as vice director of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, was not immediately available for comment.

Beijing has repeatedly postponed a major meeting on religion that was due to be chaired by President Xi Jinping at the end of last year with no explanation given. Delays may be due to problems drawing up a cohesive religious blueprint for the whole country, according to analysts.

Yu has met regularly with religious groups across the country over the past year as the party makes plans for the meeting.

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