Xinjiang guarantees religious freedom, lawfully administers religious affairs: white paper

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region fully, accurately, and faithfully implements the Communist Party of China's policy on freedom of religious belief by respecting people's religious beliefs, according to a white paper released on Friday by the State Council Information Office.

Xinjiang administers religious affairs in accordance with the law, allows religious groups to manage their own affairs independently, and guides religions to be compatible with socialist society, said the document titled "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements."

The regional government supports the religious circle in countering radicalization and guarding against the infiltration of religious extremism, the white paper said.

Xinjiang is a region where religions have coexisted since ancient times. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity all flourish in the region.