China's new Regulations on Religious Affairs has received favorable comments from religious leaders and scholars since it was promulgated on Dec. 18.

China's first statute covering all religion-related affairs consists of 48 articles and seven chapters which cover religious bodies, religious activities, religious staff and religious property. It will go into effect on March 1, 2005.

"It's a sign that China has further implemented the rule of law principle when handling religious affairs. I consider it a landmark for Chinese religion," said Hajj Shamsuddin Mahmud, vice president of the China Islamic Association.

"The regulations are designed to protect Chinese citizens' religious freedoms, a basic human right. As a religious person, I am very happy and I support it," he said.

On behalf of more than 5.3 million Chinese Catholics, Ma Yinglin, vice-chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, offered support for the regulations. "China's administration of religious affairs has advanced from policy guidance to legislation, indicating that China's current process of building a law-based society has made achievements in the field of religious affairs," said Ma.

He said the regulations reflect the will of religious people and is truly representative.

Many religious leaders and scholars participated in discussions of the regulations' draft beforehand. "Most of our comments were adopted," he said.

"All parties must now handle religion-related affairs according to law, which will help China maintain a stable society and develop itself," said Hajj, adding that he was deeply impressed by the regulations' stipulation on Mecca pilgrimages.

"It's really necessary to order all pilgrimage activities organized by the China Muslim Association. You know, only in this way can we prevent possible accidents," he said.

Zhuo Xinping, director of the Institute of World Religions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said the regulations are of profound importance.

"It's China's first statute that concretely prescribes how the Chinese religions should carry out economic activities in China's current development process, which has laid a sound base for a religion to get adapted with China's socialism system," he said.

"The religious freedom described in the regulations is exactly in line with the spirits of the United Nation's human rights convention," said Zhang Jiyu, president of the China Taoism Association.

"With the guidance of the regulations, I believe, China's religious causes will develop in an all-round and healthy way," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2004)