Christmas Eve has come. There are Christians in every corner of the globe, who are shining lights and fireworks. They have gathered together to pray for peace.
Chinese people, especially younger generations, have gotten more familiar with Christmas Eve, Christmas and Santa Claus. China is a unified multinational country, where a multitude of religions co-exist in harmony.
Until the founding of People's Republic of China in l949, a basic religious pattern was formed: Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity (Protestantism), representing five major religions in addition to other minority religions and folk beliefs.
Chinese culture has remained inclusive of various foreign religions and cultures.
Over more than three decades since the reform and opening-up policy was implemented, hundreds of millions of Chinese have visited foreign lands and contacted a variety of cultures and religions around the world.
People from other countries also bring diverse cultures, religions and customs to China. Similar to many other countries, China separates religion and education. There is no religious education in schools.
As the economic globalization accelerates, the cultural communication, integration and mutual learning between China and foreign soils has entered a new stage.
Religious and secular people are getting along, helping each other pursue development and to share accomplishments in contemporary China.
Religious cultures have long been part of Chinese traditional thoughts and civilization. The spiritual people in China have traditions that are patriotic and loving one's belief.
In China, all religions are equal and in harmony. Religious and secular citizens are expected to respect each other and unify. Freedom of religious belief is protected by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and other laws.
Article 36 of the Constitution regulates that citizens of the People's Republic of China have the freedom of religious beliefs and the country protects normal religious activities.
According to the Constitution, "No one can damage social order, do harm to the physical health of citizens or hinder the educational system of the nation via religion."
"No religious groups or affairs are subject to foreign domination."
Beijing also released regulations on the religious activities of foreigners in China, which honor their religious freedoms and protect friendly interactions between foreigners and Chinese religious circles.
Nevertheless, there have been some evil organizations committing crimes under the guise of religion since the 1980s, while a vast number of religious groups detest them.
No sovereign state would tolerate unlawful and criminal activities under the guise of religion. The three forces--terrorism, separatism and extremism within and outside China constitute threats to territorial integrity and national unity.
Beijing opposes the national secessionism of splitting people and a nation or breaking national unity by religious fanaticism, illegal terrorist activities, as well as defending national unity and social stability of minority areas and protecting all reasonable religious activities.
However, Christmas this year is different, since religious extremist and terrorist forces are raging around the globe and threatening to launch terrorist attacks at numerous locations in Europe, America and Asia. It's our duty to combat terrorism.
The Christmas Eve bell is about to ring. The citizens of church-and-state and non-church-and-state in the global village should pray for peace on Christmas Eve and join in the chorus of "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year".
