ICC Note: In its latest attempt to strengthen propaganda efforts, China reshuffles government and places State Administration of Religious Affairs under United Front Work Department. Observers see this as Beijing’s tightening control of religious affairs, as the Department seeks to ensure religious activities are consistent with socialism.

03/22/2018 China (South China Morning Post) – The consolidation of the United Front Work Department is part of a restructure of party agencies announced on Wednesday. It will take over the duties of state agencies overseeing ethnic and religious affairs, as well as the overseas Chinese portfolio.

Observers said the move added to concerns about Beijing’s tight grip on religious and ethnic affairs, and worries about its political infiltration overseas.

Founded in 1942, the department is responsible for managing the party’s relations with non-party elites both inside and outside China, aiming to shore up support for its rule.

But the new set-up will mean this once opaque agency will have to be more open about its activities.

“Under the new structure, it will no longer be situated behind various government agencies,” a government source said.

Back in 2015, President Xi Jinping said a rapidly changing internal and external situation meant the department’s work had to be more coordinated.

The department has meanwhile extended its reach over the years, with its bureaus responsible for liaising with people in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and foreign nations, for example, coordinating with Chinese student associations in other countries.

Last May, it set up a new bureau to focus on the Muslim-majority Xinjiang region in the far west, where ethnic violence has killed hundreds of people in recent years.

The restructure will see the department take over responsibility for the State Administration for Religious Affairs, a move Beijing said was aimed at consolidating the party’s direction on religion and ensuring religious activities were consistent with socialism.

The State Ethnic Affairs Commission will also come under the department’s leadership. The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office will meanwhile be merged with the department.

It will also be responsible for studying the conditions faced by overseas Chinese, cultural exchanges and for uniting the Chinese diaspora.

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