Religious Leader Says Freedom Enjoyed in China

A prominent Chinese religious leader Monday refuted an allegation by US State Department that religious persecution was increasing in China.

"I don't think this is the case. I deeply regret that the US Government made allegations without much real investigation and without knowing the real situation," said Han Wenzao, President of China Christian Council (CCC).

Han said that Chinese people are guaranteed religious freedom in the Constitution.

Han, currently visiting the US as head of a CCC delegation, said 130,000 churches were reopened and 23 million Bibles were printed in China by the end of last year.

Han Wenzao said there is a "big misunderstanding" in the West about the religious situation in China.

However, he acknowledged that cases concerning violation of religious rights do occur from time to time in China.

"You can't expect implementation of policies to be the same everywhere," he said. "Such cases could happen, did happen and will happen from time to time, here and there," he said.

"It is our duty to refer such cases and complaints to the upper levels and ask for investigation and rectification," he said.

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