China released policies under the "No 1 central document" regarding rural religious issues on February 4, 2018, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.
Seen as an indicator of policy priorities, the "No 1 central document" attaches great importance to rural religious issues. The policy statement proposes to step up crackdown on illegal religious activities and overseas infiltration activities in rural areas and prohibit the use of religion to interfere with rural public affairs. It also states that the country will continue to rectify the construction of religious temples and statues in the countryside.
In the past decade, the "No 1 central document", the guideline for issues concerning agriculture, rural areas, and rural people, has mentioned rural religion five times.
By 2020, China will lift its rural impoverished population out of poverty by current standards. That is our solemn commitment and we will honor it. With three years left until 2020, the whole of society must leap into action and, with concerted efforts and targeted measures, continuously strive for fresh victories.
This year the document determines the target task of the strategy of rural vitalization: By 2020, an institutional framework and policy system of the strategy should be set up; by 2035, "decisive" progress should be made and basic modernization of agriculture and rural areas should be achieved; by 2050, rural areas should have strong agriculture, a beautiful countryside, and well-off farmers.
- Translated by Karen Luo
