On the topic of religious work in his government work report at the ongoing Fifth Annual Session of the Tenth National People's Congress, Premier Wen Jiaobao underscored its gist with two very simple, plain and familiar sentences: "(We shall) carry out the basic policies pertaining to the Party's religious work and conscientiously implement regulations with respect to religious affaires." When I ask a Christian friend of mine what he thought of these remarks, he relied, smiling, quoting the Biblical verses with which David lauds Jehovah, the name of God in the Old Testament: "Your words are 'a lamp at my feet and a light unto my path.'"

Through the history of the development of socialism, there has always been a thorny issue, that is, how can the "atheist" Communist Party in power regards and deals with religious issues correctly, and how it will unite with the masses of religious believers and bring their role into full play. In a word, how to handle the relationships between religions and socialism well? All ruling parties in socialist countries have explored into and made efforts how to deal with this knotty problem and, as a matter of fact, there are either successful experience or bitter, painful lessons to learn from.

The solution to this problem needs the guidance of a correct theoretical outlook and the correct principles and policies, and the standardization of essential laws and codes, which can be epitomized in the words of my Christian friend "the lamp at feet, and a light unto path."

"The lamp at feet," in our view, could refer precisely to the fundamental outlook of the CPC on religious matters and the relevant work principles that are resultant therefrom. In the extremely complicated, intricate and complex religious issues, it is essential to recognize and analyze penetratingly the protractedness for the existence of religions, and the massification and particular complexity of religious problems. Since the salient facture of religious issue is its protractedness, and so it is vital to actively guide religions to comply with a socialist society. The crux of matter is the massifying nature of the religions and, so it is imperative to carry out the policy of freedom in religious belief in an all-round and correct way. Owing to the special complexity of religions, it is necessary to "step up the management of religious affairs according to law and keep to the principle of managing religious affairs via independent and self-reliant efforts."

By "the light unto path," it could mean assiduously carrying out rules and regulations in line with the requirements of administrating the country according to law. Religious activities include the "religious affairs", which are related to social or public interests. In the course of its management of religious affairs in compliance with law, the government should set or regularize those correct, viable policies in the form of laws and codes, so that they will become guidelines for action to be observed by society at large. Two years ago, the State Council promulgated a set of religious affairs regulations with a very distinct purpose, which is precisely to guarantee the citizens' freedom in religious belief, safeguard the religious and social harmony, and standardize the management of religious affairs.

In China today there is a harmony between religious believers and non-believers as well as among the masses of believers in different religions thanks to the guidance of a correct outlook, theories, and principles and policies and with the standardization of essential laws. In the religious sphere, there has been a fine tradition of nurturing the love and affection for the motherland, promoting benevolence and offering help to society with a concept of service to the people, and this very fine tradition has been carried forward and further promoted via the joint social effort to guide religions actively to conform to the socialist society.

When people in the contemporary world are still puzzled with clashes of different civilizations, the atheist ruling party in China is leading and guiding the masses of religious believers to pool their will, wisdom and strength into the development of a splendid, happy life and, along with people nationwide to go in for construction of tomorrow with one heart and one mind. The positive role of regions has been given scope around the country to spur social harmony, and so it poses another miracle when China has performed an economic feat.

"And a light unto my path. It is a lamp by night, a light by day and a delight at all time, David guided his own steps by it," said the Biblical verses.

The author Ye Xiaowen is director general of the State Administration of Religious Affairs under the State Council; translated by People's Daily Online