Government mulls update to regulations

China is revising regulations this year to better protect the interests of religious groups and curb extremism, according to faith leaders.

Any amendments would constitute the first revision of the Regulations on Religious Affairs, drafted by the State Administration on Religious Affairs, since their adoption in March 2005.

Huang Xinyang, vice-president of the Taoist Association of China, said the first draft of the newly amended regulations had been drawn up following several rounds of discussion with various religious groups. He predicted that the regulations could be enacted within the next nine months.